manifold

comparative more manifold · superlative most manifold · alternative manyfold

1. Various in kind, quality, or manifestation; diverse.

   The manifold meanings of the English word set are infamous among lexicographers.

   2 more examples

   [E]ch man as he receyuede grace, mynistringe ‘it in to ech other, as goode dispenderes of the manyfolde grace of God.

   Each man as he hath received grace, ministering it unto each other, as good dispensers of the manyfold grace of God.

   c. 1382–1395, John Wycliffe [et al.], edited by Josiah Forshall and Frederic Madden, The Holy Bible, […], volume IV (in Middle English), Oxford: At the University Press, published 1850, →OCLC, I. Peter IV:10, page 612

   To the intent that now vnto the principalities and powers in heauenly places, might be knowen by the church, the manifold wisedome of God, […]

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ephesians 3:10

   Synonyms: diverse

2. Many in number; numerous.

   1 more example

   And although we be vnworthy (through our manyfolde ſynnes) to offre vnto thee any Sacryfice: Yet we beſeche thee to accepte thys our bounden duetie and ſeruice: and commande theſe our prayers and ſupplicacions, by the Miniſtery of thy holy Angels, to be brought vp into thy holy Tabernacle before the ſyght of thy dyuine maieſtie: […]

   1549 March 7, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilers, “The Supper of the Lorde, and the Holy Communion, Commonly Called the Masse”, in The Booke of the Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacramentes, […], London: […] Edowardi Whitchurche […], →OCLC, folio cxxix, recto

   Synonyms: multiple

3. Complicated.

comparative more manifold · superlative most manifold · alternative manyfold

1. Many times; repeatedly.

   when his daughter deare he does behold, / Her dearely doth imbrace, and kisseth manifold.

   1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, book 1, canto 12

   1 more example

   It was found necessary to clear the entire piers from the mass of onlookers, or else the fatalities of the night would have been increased manifold.

   1897, Bram Stoker, Dracula

   Synonyms: manyfold, frequently, ofttimes

plural manifolds · alternative manyfold

1. historicalA copy made by the manifold writing process.
2. engineeringA pipe fitting or similar device that connects multiple inputs and outputs.
3. USdialectalin pluralThe third stomach of a ruminant animal, an omasum.

   My conjecture being right he will find the third stomach, or manifolds, the seat of difficulty.

   1830, Anson, Somerset Co. Me., retrieved 12 Jun 2007

4. mathematicsA Hausdorff topological space that looks locally like the "ordinary" Euclidean space ℝⁿ.
5. computer graphicsA polygon mesh representing the continuous, closed surface of a solid object

present singular third person manifolds · participle present manifolding · participle past manifolded · past manifolded · alternative manyfold

1. transitiveTo make manifold; multiply.
2. transitivemediaTo multiply or reproduce impressions of by a single operation.

plural Manifolds

1. countableuncountableA surname.
2. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States.
3. countableuncountableA river in Staffordshire, England, a tributary of the River Dove; in full, the River Manifold.