Meaning of pullulate in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈpəljəˌleɪt/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Verb

    pullulate

    Etymology

    early 17th century: from Latin pullulat-‘sprouted’, from the verb pullulare, from pullulus, diminutive of pullus‘young animal’

    Definitions

    1. be teeming, be abuzz

    Examples

    • « The garden was swarming with bees »
    • « The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen »
    • « her mind pullulated with worries »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. move in large numbers

    Examples

    • « people were pouring out of the theater »
    • « beggars pullulated in the plaza »

    Derived terms

  3. 3. produce buds, branches, or germinate

    Examples

    • « the potatoes sprouted »

    Derived terms

  4. 4. become abundant

    Examples

    • « increase rapidly »

    Derived terms

  5. 5. breed freely and abundantly

Browse dictionary