Where does “propaganda” come from?

Propaganda comes from New Latin propaganda, originally meaning "things to be propagated" or "things to be spread."

propaganda (English): A concerted set of messages aimed at influencing...

Definitions

  1. A concerted set of messages aimed at influencing...

Ancestry of “propaganda”, step by step

propaganda traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.

via New Latin propāganda

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1New Latinpropāganda
2LatinpropagoI propagate; I extend, enlarge, increase; set,...
3Latinprō-forward direction, forward movement
4Proto-Italic*pro-pro- see the Latin entry for further meanings
5Proto-Indo-Europeanpro-toward, forward
6Proto-Indo-Europeanpor-to give birth; forward, through; going, passage
7Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
8Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

via Italian propaganda

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Italianpropagandapropaganda; inflection of propagandare: ##...
2Latinprōpāgāre

via Latin propāganda

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinpropāganda

Words derived from “propaganda

Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós
propaganda — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer