pullulate

verb

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

intransitive verb

1
b
: to breed or produce freely
the country's pullulating population
2
: swarm, teem
the island pullulated with tourists
pullulation 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.

Example Sentences

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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pullulate was in 1619

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near pullulate

Cite this Entry

“Pullulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pullulate. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Medical Definition

pullulate

intransitive verb
pul·​lu·​late ˈpəl-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce pullulate (audio)
pullulated; pullulating
1
: to bud or sprout
2
: to breed or produce freely
pullulation noun
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