Etymologically
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propagatio

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Forms

prōpāgātiō f (genitive prōpāgātiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from prōpāgō “to propagate (plants)” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Cato, of propagating plants by layers.[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Cato 234–149 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the propagation of a plant by layers or slips, as of vines in Cicero, and Columella names three kinds in use.[2][5] In Cicero it meant the continuing of a family by procreation, the handing down to posterity, and the extension of something in time.[2][6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant spreading, extension.[7] British Medieval Latin used it for the reproduction of plants and of human offspring.[8] It survives in Italian propagazione and Spanish propagación, and through Old French it gave English propagation in the mid-15th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of plants.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of families and of prolongation.[2][4]
  • mid-15th century – English propagation is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The propagation of plants by layers.[2]
  2. The continuing of a family.[2]
  3. Transmission to posterity.[2]
  4. Extension in time, prolongation.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  8. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press