Propaganda
/ˌprɒp.əˈɡæn.də/noun
Information, especially biased or misleading information, used to promote a political cause or point of view.
Did you know?The word entered modern usage through the Catholic Church’s 1622 Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, created to coordinate missionary work worldwide.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pag-
“To fasten, fix, or make firm; a proposed root connected with Latin words for binding and extending.”
Classical Latin
Latin
propagare
“To spread, extend, or reproduce plants by layering shoots into the soil.”
17th Century
Latin
de Propaganda Fide
““For propagating the faith,” the name associated with the Catholic Congregation founded in 1622.”
18th Century
Italian and French
propaganda
“The organized propagation of religious or political ideas.”
19th Century
English
propaganda
“Publicity or information deliberately circulated to promote a cause.”
Modern English
English
propaganda
“Biased or misleading communication intended to influence public opinion.”