noun
proliferation
pruh-lif-uh-RAY-shun/prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃn/
A rapid increase in number or extent.
The sequence shows the proliferation of colonies in the dish.
Etymology
The roots describe bearing offspring. First used for the formation of cells by budding or division, proliferation broadened to rapid multiplication or increase beyond biology.
In context
if there is a proliferation of theoretical entities if there's a proliferation too many preponderance of symbols hypotheses assumptions labels diagnosis and so on something is wrong
More examples
- Researchers tracked the rapid proliferation of cells.
- The treaty sought to limit weapons proliferation.
- A proliferation of new rules confused the staff.
Forms
proliferation
proliferate verb — multiply or spread rapidly