PsychologyAugust 12, 2026

propagation

prop-uh-GAY-shun

Definition

The act or process of moving, spreading, or transmitting something—such as radio waves—through a medium or space.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'propagare,' meaning to multiply or extend. It originally referred to gardening and the reproduction of plants via cuttings before being applied to the transmission of waves and signals.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe how radio waves travel through an environment, allowing researchers to create images of surroundings and detect people.

Ordinary WiFi can now identify you with near-perfect accuracy

Read the full article ↗

ScienceDaily

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