proliferation
/prəʊˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən/noun
mass noun
1- rapid increase in numbers激增; 扩散：
a continuing threat of nuclear proliferation.
核扩散的持续威胁。
1.1
- rapid reproduction of a cell, part, or organism（细胞、组织、有机体的）繁殖, 增生：
we attempted to measure cell proliferation.
我们试图测量细胞繁殖。
1.2
- in sing. a large number of something大量：
stress levels are high, forcing upon them a proliferation of ailments.
压力很大, 这使得他们患了许多病痛。
词源
mid 19th cent.: from French prolifération,from prolifére 'proliferous'.