̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈkāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin prolification-, prolificatio, from prolificatus (past participle of prolificare to generate young, from Latin proles offspring + -ficare to move) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion — more at proletarian , -fication
1.
a. : the generation of young
b. : fecundity
2. : the quality or state of being proliferous
3. : an apical branch arising from within an inflorescence and continuing the terminal growth of the stem (as in the male inflorescence of mosses of the genus Polytrichum ) — compare innovation