n. A shell, used as a die. See Props. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Propped p. pr. & vb. n. Propping. ] [ Akin to LG. & D. proppen to cram, stuff, thrust into, stop, G. pfropfen, Dan. proppe, Sw. proppa; of uncertain origin, cf. G. pfropfen to graft, fr. L. propago set, layer of a plant, slip, shoot. Cf. 3d. Prop, Propagate. ] To support, or prevent from falling, by placing something under or against; as, to prop up a fence or an old building; (Fig.) to sustain; to maintain; as, to prop a declining state. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Till the bright mountains prop the incumbent sky. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

For being not propp'd by ancestry. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

I prop myself upon those few supports that are left me. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Akin to LG., D., & Dan. prop stopple, stopper, cork, Sw. propp, G. pfropf. See Prop, v. ] That which sustains an incumbent weight; that on which anything rests or leans for support; a support; a stay; as, a prop for a building. “Two props of virtue.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , a. [ Gr. &unr_; to teach beforehand; &unr_; before + &unr_; to bring up a child, to educate, teach, fr. &unr_;, &unr_;, a child. ] Of, pertaining to, or conveying, preliminary instruction; introductory to any art or science; instructing beforehand. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The preliminary learning connected with any art or science; preparatory instruction. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Propagate. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Capable of being propagated, or of being continued or multiplied by natural generation or production. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Capable of being spread or extended by any means; -- said of tenets, doctrines, or principles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Abbrev. fr. L. de propaganda fide: cf. F. propagande. See Propagate. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (R. C. Ch.) (a) A congregation of cardinals, established in 1622, charged with the management of missions. (b) The college of the Propaganda, instituted by Urban VIII. (1623-1644) to educate priests for missions in all parts of the world. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, any organization or plan for spreading a particular doctrine or a system of principles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. propagandisme. ] The art or practice of propagating tenets or principles; zeal in propagating one's opinions. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. propagandiste. ] A person who devotes himself to the spread of any system of principles. “Political propagandists.” Walsh. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Propagated p. pr. & vb. n. Propagating. ] [ L. propagatus, p. p. of propagare to propagate, akin to propages, propago, a layer of a plant, slip, shoot. See Pro-, and cf. Pact, Prop, Prune, v. t. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive production; -- applied to animals and plants; as, to propagate a breed of horses or sheep; to propagate a species of fruit tree. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cause to spread to extend; to impel or continue forward in space; as, to propagate sound or light. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To spread from person to person; to extend the knowledge of; to originate and spread; to carry from place to place; to disseminate; as, to propagate a story or report; to propagate the Christian religion. [ 1913 Webster ]

The infection was propagated insensibly. De Foe. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To multiply; to increase. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,
Which thou wilt propagate. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To generate; to produce. [ 1913 Webster ]

Motion propagated motion, and life threw off life. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To multiply; continue; increase; spread; diffuse; disseminate; promote. [ 1913 Webster ]