generate

[jen-uh-reyt] /ˈdʒɛn əˌreɪt/
verb (used with object), generated, generating.
1.
to bring into existence; cause to be; produce.
2.
to create by a vital or natural process.
3.
to create and distribute vitally and profusely:
He generates ideas that we all should consider. A good diplomat generates good will.
4.
to reproduce; procreate.
5.
to produce by a chemical process.
6.
Mathematics.
  1. to trace (a figure) by the motion of a point, straight line, or curve.
  2. to act as base for all the elements of a given set:
    The number 2 generates the set 2, 4, 8, 16.
7.
Linguistics. to produce or specify (a grammatical sentence or other construction or set of constructions) by the application of a rule or set of rules in a generative grammar.
verb (used without object), generated, generating.
8.
to reproduce; propagate.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin generātus produced, past participle of generāre to beget; see genus
Related forms
intergenerating, adjective
nongenerating, adjective
pregenerate, verb (used with object), pregenerated, pregenerating.
ungenerated, adjective
ungenerating, adjective
Synonyms
1. create, evolve, originate, engender, institute.
Examples from the web for generate
  • Your intestinal flora gamely generate enzymes so you can digest it.
  • Higher education always seems to generate controversy.
  • Many music singles are released for sale ahead of their albums to generate early sales and create interest in the full collection.
  • However, it can also help you generate various reports.
  • Most authors hope that what they say in a book will generate buzz.
  • But using the sun's energy directly to generate power is rare.
  • It's the sort of book that would be perfect for a book club because it will generate discussions and bring up serious issues.
  • The trade show preview was doubled in length from one hour to two to generate conversations on the floor.
  • If we generate cheaper energy we shall become more wasteful.
  • In other words, the current stock price is above the value of what the company is expected to generate in cash over its lifetime.
British Dictionary definitions for generate

generate

/ˈdʒɛnəˌreɪt/
verb (mainly transitive)
1.
to produce or bring into being; create
2.
(also intransitive) to produce (electricity), esp in a power station
3.
to produce (a substance) by a chemical process
4.
(maths, linguistics) to provide a precise criterion or specification for membership in (a set): these rules will generate all the noun phrases in English
5.
(geometry) to trace or form by moving a point, line, or plane in a specific way: circular motion of a line generates a cylinder
Word Origin
C16: from Latin generāre to beget, from genus kind
Word Origin and History for generate
v.

c.1500, "to beget" (offspring), a back-formation from generation or else from Latin generatus, past participle of generare "to beget, produce" (see generation); originally "to beget;" in reference to natural forces, conditions, substances, etc., attested from 1560s. Related: Generated; generating.

generate in Technology


To produce something according to an algorithm or program or set of rules, or as a (possibly unintended) side effect of the execution of an algorithm or program.
The opposite of parse.
[Jargon File]
(1995-06-15)