Proliferates

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Multiplies or spreads quickly to produce a large number or amount
2. Expands or grows extensively in quantity over a short period
3. Increases swiftly in amount or frequency, often rapidly multiplying

Etymology: This is the third-person singular present of "proliferate," a verb built in the 19th century from the Latin "proles" (offspring, progeny) and the verb-forming suffix "-ate." The base word "proles" also gave English "prolific" and "proletarian," though the latter came through a different route. The Latin verb "proliferare" meant to bring forth offspring, and English borrowed the idea and the form in the 1800s. The sense of rapid multiplication came first. The word was used for the growth of cells and organisms, especially in biology, where it described tissues or cells increasing in number. Its move into everyday speech, describing anything that spreads quickly, such as weeds, rumours or bureaucracy, came later and is the sense the word carries today.

Synonyms: multiplies, reproduces, increases

Antonyms: decreases, diminishes