<B>multiply</B> (1), verb, <B>-plied,</B> <B>-plying.</B><DL COMPACT><DD><I>v.t. </I> <B>1. </B>to take (a number or quantity) a given number of times. <BR> <I>Ex. To multiply 16 by 3 means to take 16 three times, making 48.</I> <DD><B> 2. </B>to increase the number or amount of. <BR> <I>Ex. Fear multiplies the difficulties of life.</I> <DD><B> 3. </B>to increase by procreation. <BR> <I>Ex. that all creatures might be tempted to multiply their kind, and fill the world with inhabitants (Joseph Addison).</I> <DD><B> 4. </B>to produce (animals or plants) by propagation. <DD><I>v.i. </I> <B>1. </B>to grow in number; increase. <BR> <I>Ex. As we climbed up the mountain the dangers and difficulties multiplied.</I> <DD><B> 2. </B>to increase in number by natural generation or procreation. <BR> <I>Ex. Be fruitful, and multiply (Genesis 1:22).</I> <DD><B> 3. </B>to perform the process of multiplication. <BR> <I>Ex. The little boy can add, subtract, and multiply, but he cannot divide.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multiply">
<B>multiply</B> (2), adverb.<DL COMPACT><DD> in a multiple or manifold way; in the manner of a multiple. </DL>
<A NAME="multiplyinggear">
<B>multiplying gear,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> a gear larger than the one being turned by it. Multiplying gears are used to increase the speed of smaller gears. </DL>
<A NAME="multiplyingreel">
<B>multiplying reel,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> a fishing reel having a spool which turns several times for every revolution of its handle. </DL>
<A NAME="multipolar">
<B>multipolar, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> having many poles. </DL>
<A NAME="multipolarity">
<B>multipolarity, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> multipolar quality or condition. <BR> <I>Ex. the multipolarity of political power.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multipotent">
<B>multipotent, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> having much power; very powerful. <BR> <I>Ex. There are still undreamed-of possibilities in the multipotent clay that is his to mold (Atlantic).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multiprocessing">
<B>multiprocessing, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> the use of two or more computer processors which have access to a common memory and can execute several programs simultaneously. <BR> <I>Ex. Multiprocessing, like multiprogramming, got off to a slow start because of the associated complexities in coordination and control, but a number of multiprocessing systems are now in operation and many more are planned (I. Auerbach and J. R. Hillegass).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multiprocessor">
<B>multiprocessor, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a computer unit consisting of several processors, used in multiprocessing. </DL>
<A NAME="multiprogramming">
<B>multiprogramming, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> the handling of several programs concurrently by a single computer. </DL>
<A NAME="multipurpose">
<B>multipurpose, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> having many purposes or functions; versatile. <BR> <I>Ex. a multipurpose building that can be used for machinery storage, for grain storage, and for housing cattle.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multiracial">
<B>multiracial, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> consisting of or having to do with a number of races. <BR> <I>Ex. the multiracial communities of the Caribbean.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multiracialism">
<B>multiracialism, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a political or social system in which all racial groups are accorded equal rights and opportunities. <BR> <I>Ex. The new federation [of Malaysia] is an experiment in multiracialism (Manchester Guardian Weekly).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multiresistant">
<B>multiresistant, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> resistant to various antibiotics. <BR> <I>Ex. In the right environment such as the intestinal tracts of cattle being fed a number of different antibiotics, multiresistant strains develop very rapidly (Manchester Guardian Weekly).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multisensory">
<B>multisensory, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> having to do with or involving the use of various sensory organs. <BR> <I>Ex. multisensory learning; ... light, sound, and other elements to provide multisensory effects (New York Times).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multispectral">
<B>multispectral, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> capable of sensing emissions from several spectra, especially from parts of the visible, infrared, and microwave spectra. <BR> <I>Ex. All available evidence suggests an extensive scientific programme which includes placing the Earth under the most detailed observation with multispectral cameras and sensing equipment (New Scientist and Science Journal).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multistage">
<B>multistage, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>having a number of stages in going through a complete process. <BR> <I>Ex. multistage automatic washers or amplifiers, a multistage nuclear reaction.</I> <DD><B> 2. </B>having two or more propulsive sections, each operating after the preceding stage has burned out and separated. <BR> <I>Ex. a multistage rocket.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multistate">
<B>multistate, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> consisting of or serving many nations or states of a nation. <BR> <I>Ex. a multistate conference.</I> </DL>
<B>multitasking, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> the performance of two or more tasks concurrently by a computer. Compare <B>single-tasking.</B> </DL>
<A NAME="multitude">
<B>multitude, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>a great many. <BR> <I>Ex. a multitude of problems, a multitude of friends.</I> (SYN) host, horde. <DD><B> 2. </B>a large gathering of people; crowd. <BR> <I>Ex. An angry multitude collected in the street.</I> (SYN) throng. <DD><B> 3. </B>number. <BR> <I>Ex. Ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude (Deuteronomy 1:10).</I> <BR><I>expr. <B>the multitude,</B> </I>the common people; the masses. <BR> <I>Ex. a play that appeals to the multitude.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multitudinism">
<B>multitudinism, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> the principle according to which the interests of multitudes are placed before those of individuals. </DL>
<A NAME="multitudinous">
<B>multitudinous, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>forming a multitude; very numerous; existing or occurring in great numbers. <BR> <I>Ex. Multitudinous echoes awoke and died in the distance (Longfellow).</I> <DD><B> 2. </B>including many parts, elements, items, or features. <BR> <I>Ex. I heard again the multitudinous murmur of the city (George W. Curtis).</I> <DD><B> 3. </B>crowded; thronged. <BR> <I>Ex. the multitudinous streets.</I> <DD><B> 4. </B>(Obsolete.) of or having to do with the multitude. <BR> <I>Ex. Pluck out The multitudinous tongue; let them not lick The sweet which is their poison (Shakespeare).</I> adv. <B>multitudinously.</B> noun <B>multitudinousness.</B> </DL>
<A NAME="multivalence">
<B>multivalence, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> multivalent quality or property. </DL>
<A NAME="multivalent">
<B>multivalent, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>having a valence of three or more. <DD><B> 2. </B>having more than one valence. </DL>
<A NAME="multivalued">
<B>multivalued, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> having many values. <BR> <I>Ex. a multivalued mathematical function.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multivalve">
<B>multivalve, </B>adjective, noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><I>adj. </I> (of a shell) having many valves or ports. <DD><I>noun </I> <B>1. </B>a multivalve shell. <DD><B> 2. </B>an animal having such a shell. </DL>
<B>multivariate, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> having two or more variates. </DL>
<A NAME="multiverse">
<B>multiverse, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> the universe regarded as lacking order or any single ruling or guiding power. </DL>
<A NAME="multiversity">
<B>multiversity, </B>noun, pl. <B>-ties.</B><DL COMPACT><DD> a large educational institution comprising several universities and their related colleges and professional schools; polyversity. <BR> <I>Ex. The Board of Governors, whether of a small liberal arts college or a multiversity, will need ... persuasiveness if our universities are to grow and change (Saturday Night).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multivibrator">
<B>multivibrator, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> a type of oscillator having two stages, each of which utilizes the output voltage of the other as its input. Multivibrators are used especially in digital computers and electronic circuits. </DL>
<A NAME="multivitamin">
<B>multivitamin, </B>adjective, noun.<DL COMPACT><DD><I>adj. </I> containing or combining various vitamins. <BR> <I>Ex. a multivitamin pill.</I> <DD><I>noun </I> a drug or similar substance containing various vitamins. </DL>
<A NAME="multivocal">
<B>multivocal, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> having many meanings; equivocal; ambiguous. </DL>
<A NAME="multivoltine">
<B>multivoltine, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> (Zoology.) that produces several broods in a single season. <BR> <I>Ex. a multivoltine moth or other insect.</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multivolume">
<B>multivolume, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD><B> 1. </B>filling many volumes. <BR> <I>Ex. ... the first multivolume history of Canada (Maclean's).</I> <DD><B> 2. </B>containing many volumes. <BR> <I>Ex. a multivolume set, a multivolume library.</I> </DL>
<B>multiwall bag,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> a large, heavy-duty paper bag consisting of a number of layers or sheets of kraft paper. <BR> <I>Ex. The cement industry has remained the top multiwall bag user (Wall Street Journal).</I> </DL>
<A NAME="multocular">
<B>multocular, </B>adjective.<DL COMPACT><DD> having many eyes, or eyelike parts, as a fly or certain microscopes. </DL>
<A NAME="multuminparvo">
<B>multum in parvo,</B><DL COMPACT><DD> (Latin.) much in little. </DL>
<A NAME="multure">
<B>multure, </B>noun.<DL COMPACT><DD> (Archaic.) <DD><B> 1. </B>a fee consisting of a proportion of the grain, or of the flour, paid to the miller for grinding it. <DD><B> 2. </B>the right to take this toll. </DL>
