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multiplicity

multiplicity

10 7.0
A large number of different things in one group
  • noun
  • /ˌmʌltɪˈplɪsɪti/
translation icon : multiplicidad
  • The multiplicity of choices at the restaurant made it hard to decide what to order.
  • multiplicity of meanings
  • multiplicity of voices
  • multiplicity of factors

And there's a multiplicity of issues right now.

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Examples

  • However, the topic is fraught with difficulties, and a multiplicity of factors seems to be involved.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The student teachers identified a multiplicity of factors creating stress during teaching practicums.

    Academic text (1992)
  • And the question is, well, what kind of multiplicity are we working with?

  • Vision is a long range view of a multiplicity of things you want to do.

  • So hand washing has a kind of multiplicity of uses.

  • The multiplicity of items on a menu had become a nightmare challenge.

  • We are all that one child of the universe experiencing the multiplicity that is the universe.

  • And there's a multiplicity of issues right now.

  • An array of birds with a multiplicity of sounds is announcing their departure this evening.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The other aspect is that in historical reconstruction, there is a multiplicity of points of view interpreting the facts.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

variety
vsmultiplicity
582 1.3

A group of different kinds of things

is more general, also including simply a large count
diversity
vsmultiplicity
348 3.5

A range of different people or things

includes both a big count and different kinds together
plurality
vsmultiplicity
9 7.1

There are many different people or things

is wider by stressing both count and range of types
heterogeneity
vsmultiplicity
5 8.4

The presence of different kinds of things or people in a group

is more general, also covering plain numerical manyness
multidimensionality
vsmultiplicity
1 8.7

A quality of something that has many different parts or sides

is broader by covering both aspects and sheer number
numerosity
vsmultiplicity
1 8.8

A large number of things or people

adds the idea of different parts or aspects as well
multifariousness
vsmultiplicity
  • Formal
9.9

A state of having many different kinds or parts

is broader covering both large number and variety across parts
manifoldness
vsmultiplicity
8.2

A state of having many different parts or features

also covers plain large numbers as well as different kinds
manifolding
vsmultiplicity
8.3

Having many different kinds or parts

is wider, including both count and variety of elements
multiformity
vsmultiplicity
7.7

A situation where something has many different forms or types

is wider, applying to number and variety across things
heterogeneousness
vsmultiplicity
8.9

A situation in which people or things are different from each other

is broader by adding simple large number as well
variousness
vsmultiplicity
5.3

The state of having many different kinds of people or things

is wider, including both variety and overall quantity
numerousness
vsmultiplicity
7.3

A large number of things or people

also covers variety among those many items, not just count
manyness
vsmultiplicity
  • Archaic
8.8

A large number or variety of things in one place

extends that by including variety and different aspects too
multitudinousness
vsmultiplicity
  • Literature
9.9

A very large group of people or things

is broader, applying to many items and varied kinds

Antonyms

uniformity
  • Specialized
18 4.6

The state of being the same in all parts

How Many

myriad
36 6.8
multitude
38 4.4
multiplicity
10 7.0
plurality
  • Specialized
3 7.0
duality
9 7.4

Surface Forms

multiplicity singular

Morphology

multiplicity = multiple (transparent) = multiple + ity

The noun is a straightforward nominalization of the adjective 'multiple' with the productive suffix '-ity', so its meaning is directly predictable from the base.

Etymology

Multiplicity comes from Latin parts: multi- meaning 'many' and -plic- meaning 'fold'. You also see the same idea in multiple and multiply, so multiplicity is the state of being many or having a large variety.