multitude
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++mul·ti·tude /ˈmʌltɪtjuːd $ -tuːd/ ●○○ noun 1 a multitude of somebody/something formal or literaryLOT/LARGE NUMBER OR AMOUNT a very large number of people or things 众多[大量]的人/事物 I had never seen such a multitude of stars before. 我以前从未见过这么多的星星。 a multitude of possible interpretations 种种可能的解释2 the multitude(s) ORDINARYordinary people, especially when they are thought of as not being very well educated 〔尤指被认为未受过良好教育的〕大众，民众，群众 Political power has been placed in the hands of the multitude. 政治权力已交到民众手中。3 [countable] literary or biblicalALGROUP OF PEOPLE a large crowd of people 众人 Clamoring multitudes demanded a view of the pope. 众人叫嚷着要求面见教皇。4 cover/hide a multitude of sins CRITICIZEto make faults or problems seem less clear or noticeable – used humorously 掩盖真相，掩藏缺陷[问题]〔幽默用法〕 Patterned carpet can hide a multitude of sins (=the carpet is dirty, but the pattern hides it). 有图案的地毯不显脏。
Examples from the Corpus
multitude• There has suddenly appeared a multitude of banners and pamphlets from these printing presses of the trees.• It can cover a multitude of incompatibilities.• This country faces a multitude of unsettling problems.• Rainforests are the source of a multitude of raw materials with immense potential value to medical science.• The development of strength can prevent a multitude of problems occurring throughout our lives.• For several weeks after that, my head filled with a multitude of wild theories and speculations.• The best value of all, however, comes via the multitude of entrepreneurs offering deeply discounted hotel rates and rentals.• How could he feed and house this multitude?Origin multitude (1300-1400) French Latin multitudo, from multus; → MULTI-mul·ti·tude nounChineseSyllable
Corpus people or large number things a of very
multitude
mul‧ti‧tude /ˈmʌltətjuːd, ˈmʌltɪtjuːd $ -tuːd/
noun1. a multitude of somebody/something formal or literary a very large number of people or things:
I had never seen such a multitude of stars before.
a multitude of possible interpretations
2. the multitude(s) ordinary people, especially when they are thought of as not being very well educated:
Political power has been placed in the hands of the multitude.
3. [countable] literary or biblical a large crowd of people:
Clamoring multitudes demanded a view of the Pope.
4. cover/hide a multitude of sins to make faults or problems seem less clear or noticeable – used humorously:
Patterned carpet can hide a multitude of sins (=the carpet is dirty, but the pattern hides it).
▪ crowd a large number of people together in one place: The exhibition is expected to attract large crowds of visitors.
▪mob a crowd of noisy and violent people who are difficult to control: The mob set fire to cars and buildings.
▪mass a very large crowd which is not moving and which is very difficult to move through: the mass of people in the station
▪horde a large crowd of people, especially people who are behaving in a way that you disapprove of or that annoys you: the hordes of tourists on the island
▪droves [plural] a crowd of people – used especially when you are talking about a crowd of people who move from one place to another: The public came in droves to see the event.
▪throng literary a very large crowd: A great throng had gathered to listen to his speech.
▪flock a large group of people of the same type, especially when they have a leader: A flock of children were being shown through the museum.
▪pack a group of people of the same type, especially a group you do not approve of: A pack of reporters shouted questions.
▪swarm a large crowd of people who are moving quickly in many directions in a very uncontrolled way: a swarm of children in the playground
▪crush a crowd of people who are pressed close together: There was such a crush on the Metro this morning.
▪multitude formal literary a very large number of people, especially ordinary people: The Emperor came out to speak to the multitude.
⇨ group
mul‧ti‧tude /ˈmʌltətjuːd, ˈmʌltɪtjuːd $ -tuːd/
noun1. a multitude of somebody/something formal or literary a very large number of people or things: 2. the multitude(s) ordinary people, especially when they are thought of as not being very well educated:
3. [countable] literary or biblical a large crowd of people:
4. cover/hide a multitude of sins to make faults or problems seem less clear or noticeable – used humorously:
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⇨ group
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