multitude

mul·ti·tude   (mŭl'tĭ-tōōd', -tyōōd')    n.   The condition or quality of being numerous. A very great number. The masses; the populace: the concerns of the multitude. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin multitūdō, from multus, many; see mel-2 in Indo-European roots.] Synonyms: These nouns all denote a very great number of people or things. Multitude is the most general term: a multitude of reasons. Host and legion both stress impressively, sometimes countlessly large numbers: a host of ideas; a legion of complaints. Army emphasizes order and often purposeful association: an army of ants.

Multitude

Mul"ti*tude\, n. [F. multitude, L. multitudo, multitudinis, fr. multus much, many; of unknown origin.]

1. A great number of persons collected together; a numerous collection of persons; a crowd; an assembly.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them. --Matt. ix. 36.

2. A great number of persons or things, regarded collectively; as, the book will be read by a multitude of people; the multitude of stars; a multitude of cares.

It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that they uttery neglect method in their harangues. --I. Watts.

A multitude of flowers As countless as the stars on high. --Longfellow.

3. The state of being many; numerousness.

They came as grasshoppers for multitude. --Judg. vi. 5.

The multitude, the populace; the mass of men.

Syn: Throng; crowd; assembly; assemblage; commonalty; swarm; populace; vulgar. See Throng.

multitude