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pullulate

verb
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pul·​lu·​late | \ ˈpəl-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce pullulate (audio) \
pullulated; pullulating

Definition of pullulate

intransitive verb

1a : germinate, sprout
b : to breed or produce freely the country's pullulating population
2 : swarm, teem the island pullulated with tourists
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Other Words from pullulate

pullulation \ ˌpəl-​yə-​ˈlā-​shən How to pronounce pullulate (audio) \ noun

Did you know?

To remember the history of "pullulate," think chickens. This may sound like odd advice, but it makes sense if you know that "pullulate" traces ultimately to the Latin noun pullus, which means not only "sprout," but also "young of an animal" and, specifically, "chick." "Pullus" is also an ancestor of "pullet" ("young hen"), "poult" (meaning "young fowl" and especially "young turkey"), and even "poultry" ("domesticated fowl"). At first "pullulate" referred to sprouting, budding, and breeding around the farm; only later did it gain its "swarm" sense.

Examples of pullulate in a Sentence

a tough city neighborhood that has a reputation for pullulating with prostitutes and petty criminals

First Known Use of pullulate

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for pullulate

Latin pullulatus, past participle of pullulare, from pullulus, diminutive of pullus chicken, sprout — more at foal

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Time Traveler for pullulate

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The first known use of pullulate was in 1619

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Dictionary Entries Near pullulate

Pullularia

pullulate

pull-up

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Cite this Entry

“Pullulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pullulate. Accessed 26 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for pullulate

pullulate

intransitive verb
pul·​lu·​late | \ ˈpəl-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce pullulate (audio) \
pullulated; pullulating

Medical Definition of pullulate

1 : to bud or sprout
2 : to breed or produce freely

Other Words from pullulate

pullulation \ ˌpəl-​yə-​ˈlā-​shən How to pronounce pullulate (audio) \ noun

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