multiply definition

1. To become greater in number; to become numerous. "When men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them." (Gen. Vi. 1)

2. To increase in extent and influence; to spread. "The word of God grew and multiplied." (Acts xii. 24)

3. To increase amount of gold or silver by the arts of alchemy.

1. To increase in number; to make more numerous; to add quantity to. "Impunity will multiply motives to disobedience." (Ames)

2. <mathematics> To add (any given number or quantity) to itself a certain number of times; to find the product of by multiplication; thus 7 multiplied by 8 produces the number 56; to multiply two numbers. See the Note under Multiplication.

3. To increase (the amount of gold or silver) by the arts of alchemy.

<machinery> Multiplying gear, gear for increasing speed. Multiplying lens.

<optics> See Lens.

Origin: F. Multiplier, L. Multiplicare, fr. Multiplex manifold. See Multitude, Complex.

(01 Mar 1998)