v.
Pronunciation: ' je-n ə - ˌ r ā t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -at · ed ; -at · ing
Etymology: Latin generatus, past participle of generare, from gener-, genus descent, birth ― more at KIN
Date: 1509
1 : to bring into existence: as a : PROCREATE , BEGET b : to originate by a vital, chemical, or physical process : PRODUCE < generate electricity>
2 : to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) <these stories ⋯ generate a good deal of psychological suspense ― Atlantic >
3 : to define or originate (as a mathematical or linguistic set or structure) by the application of one or more rules or operations especially : to trace out (as a curve) by a moving point or trace out (as a surface) by a moving curve