propagate

spread, circulate, distribute, propagate

这些动词均含“传播，散播”之意。
spread: 普通用词，使用广泛。指传播疾病、思想、文化、习惯或谣言等。
circulate: 既指某物在一物体内循环流动，又可指在一定范围内传播物品、刊物或思想、语言等。
distribute: 指把一定数量的东西分成若干等份进行分发。
propagate: 指宣传，尤其指官方为达到一定政治目的而进行的传播活动。

动词 propagate:

1. transmit from one generation to the next
2. travel through the air
3. transmit
4. become distributed or widespread
   同义词：spread
5. transmit or cause to broaden or spread
6. cause to become widely known
   同义词：circulate, circularize, circularise, distribute, disseminate, broadcast, spread, diffuse, disperse, pass around
7. cause to propagate, as by grafting or layering
8. multiply sexually or asexually

1. They started a newspaper to propagate their ideas.
   他们办了一份报纸来宣传他们的主张。
2. Most plants propagate by seed.
   大多数植物靠种子繁殖。

prop.a.gate

v.（动词）
prop.a.gat.ed,prop.a.gat.ing,prop.a.gates
v.tr.（及物动词）
To cause (an organism) to multiply or breed.
增殖：使（有机体）数量增多或生育
To breed (offspring).
繁殖：生育（后代）
To transmit (characteristics) from one generation to another.
使遗传：把（特点）从一代向另一代传递
To cause to extend to a broader area or larger number; spread:
扩散：促使向更大的地区或数量扩张；扩散：
例句：
missionaries who propagate the faith.
传播信仰的教士

To make widely known; publicize:
使蔓延：使被广泛知道；使公众知道：
例句：
propagate a rumor.
使流言蔓延

Physics To cause (a wave, for example) to move in some direction or through a medium; transmit.
【物理学】 传播：使（比如声波）向某个方向移动或通过媒介活动；传送
v.intr.（不及物动词）
To have offspring; multiply.
繁殖：子女数目增多
To extend to a broader area or larger number; spread.
扩大：扩展到较大的区域或数量；拓展
Physics To move through a medium.
【物理学】 通过煤介传送

来源：
Latin prôp3g3re prôp3g3t- * see pag-
拉丁语 prôp3g3re prôp3g3t- *参见 pag-

【引伸】
prop.agable
prop.aga.tive
adj.（形容词）
prop.aga.tor
n.（名词）