multiplicity

noun

mul·​ti·​plic·​i·​ty ˌməl-tə-ˈpli-sə-tē How to pronounce multiplicity (audio)
plural multiplicities
1
a
: the quality or state of being multiple or various
b
: the number of components in a system (such as a multiplet or a group of energy levels)
2
: a great number
3
: the number of times a root of an equation or zero of a function occurs when there is more than one root or zero
the multiplicity of x = 2 for the equation (x − 2)3 = 0 is 3

Examples of multiplicity in a Sentence

a multiplicity of suggestions for turning the company around Shakespeare's works seem to encompass the full multiplicity of human experience.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This dynamism culminates in The Ugly Ducklings (2019), where a multiplicity of genres is presented, expanding Cairokee’s audience base by offering them each something. Maha Elnabawi, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2024 In reality, each region contained—and still contains—a multiplicity of ethnicities. Uzodinma Iweala, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022 Much of this multiplicity is owed to the state’s previous constitution, written in 1870. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2024 If October 7th and the war on Gaza has sparked an ideological debate among American Jews, in all their multiplicity, a parallel fight has emerged among Asian Americans. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for multiplicity 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French multiplicité, from Late Latin multiplicitat-, multiplicitas, from Latin multiplic-, multiplex

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of multiplicity was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near multiplicity

Cite this Entry

“Multiplicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiplicity. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

multiplicity

noun
mul·​ti·​plic·​i·​ty ˌməl-tə-ˈplis-ət-ē How to pronounce multiplicity (audio)
plural multiplicities
1
: the quality or state of being multiple or various
2
: a great number

Medical Definition

multiplicity

noun
mul·​ti·​plic·​i·​ty ˌməl-tə-ˈplis-ət-ē How to pronounce multiplicity (audio)
plural multiplicities
1
: the quality or state of being multiple or various
2
: the ratio of the number of infectious particles (as of a bacteriophage) to the number of cells at risk
monolayer cultures … were infected at an effective multiplicity of approximately 100J. J. Holland

Legal Definition

multiplicity

noun
mul·​ti·​plic·​i·​ty ˌməl-tə-ˈpli-sə-tē How to pronounce multiplicity (audio)
plural multiplicities
1
a
: the quality or state of being multiple or various
b
: the charging of a single criminal act or offense as multiple separate charges or counts of an indictment or information
multiplicity does not require dismissal of the indictmentW. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
compare duplicity sense 2, misjoinder

Note: Multiplicity raises the risk of violating the double jeopardy protection against receiving multiple sentences for a single offense. Multiplicity is a defect that can be corrected without dismissal of the case.

2
: a great number
joinder is allowed to avoid a multiplicity of actions

More from Merriam-Webster on multiplicity

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