multitude
noun (a multitude, multitudes)
Everyday
- A multitude is a very large number of things or people. tree →
- (formal, Bible) The multitude means a huge crowd of people; or ordinary people in general. tree →
In the lessons
In formal writing: «a multitude of reasons», «a multitude of colours». In Bible stories: Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish. Phrase: «cover a multitude of sins» means hide many faults.
Examples
- There is a multitude of stars in the night sky. tree →
- The coral reef is home to a multitude of fish. tree →
- Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish. tree →
- We had a multitude of reasons to be happy. tree →
- Multitudes gathered to hear him speak. tree →
- A big coat can cover a multitude of sins. tree →
- A sorrowful multitude accompanied them to the shore. tree →
Note
Formal word; everyday: lots, loads, a huge number. «A multitude of» + plural noun. In maths it does not give an exact number; it just means very many.
In Jewish tradition
Joel's "multitudes in the valley of decision" pictures nations gathered for God's judgment. Hosea speaks of the multitude of sins.
Interpretation. Abraham's being father of a multitude of nations is read as the reason his name was changed from Abram to Abraham.
Examples
- And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. (Torah EXO.12.38, JPS 1917) tree →
- 'As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations. (Torah GEN.17.4, JPS 1917) tree →
- the LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. — (Torah DEU.1.10, JPS 1917) tree →
- Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! (Prophets JOL.4.14, JPS 1917) tree →
- Should not the multitude of words be answered? (Writings JOB.11.2, JPS 1917) tree →
- For the multitude of thine iniquity, the enmity is great. (Prophets HOS.9.7, JPS 1917) tree →
Note
Formal word; everyday: lots, loads, a huge number. «A multitude of» + plural noun. In maths it does not give an exact number; it just means very many.
On Mova
- Trees and pragmatics of «multitude» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «multitude» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
- Trees and pragmatics of «multitude» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «multitude» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/multitude/