Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used with object), prom·ul·gat·ed, prom·ul·gat·ing.
- to make known by open declaration; publish; proclaim formally or put into operation (a law, decree of a court, etc.).
- to set forth or teach publicly (a creed, doctrine, etc.).
verb (tr)
- to put into effect (a law, decree, etc), esp by formal proclamation
- to announce or declare officially
- to make widespread
1520s, from Latin promulgatus, past participle of promulgare “make publicly known, propose openly, publish,” perhaps altered from provulgare, from pro- “forth” (see pro-) + vulgare “make public, publish.” Or the second element might be from mulgere “to milk” (see milk (n.)), used metaphorically for “cause to emerge.” Related: Promulgated; promulgating. The earlier verb in English was promulge (late 15c.).