adj. 1. Zoology Reproducing freely by means of buds and side branches, as corals do. 2. Botany Freely producing buds or offshoots, especially from unusual places, as shoots from flowers or fruits from fruits. [From Medieval Latin prōlifer : Latin prōlēs, prōl-, offspring; see al-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + Latin -fer, -fer.] pro·lifer·ous·ly adv. |
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