transcription, транскрипция: [ mʌtʃ ]
adj., n., & adv. --adj. 1 existing or occurring in a great quantity (much trouble; not much rain; too much noise). 2 (prec. by as, how, that, etc.) with relative rather than distinctive sense (I don't know how much money you want). --n. 1 a great quantity (much of that is true). 2 (prec. by as, how, that, etc.) with relative rather than distinctive sense (we do not need that much). 3 (usu. in neg.) a noteworthy or outstanding example (not much to look at; not much of a party). --adv. 1 a in a great degree (much to my surprise; is much the same). b (qualifying a verb or past participle) greatly (they much regret the mistake; I was much annoyed). ° Much implies a strong verbal element in the participle, whereas very implies a strong adjectival element: compare the second example above with I was very annoyed. c qualifying a comparative or superlative adjective (much better; much the most likely). 2 for a large part of one's time (is much away from home). øas much the extent or quantity just specified; the idea just mentioned (I thought as much; as much as that?). a bit much colloq. somewhat excessive or immoderate. make much of see MAKE. much as even though (cannot come, much as I would like to). much less see LESS. much obliged see OBLIGE. not much colloq. 1 iron. very much. 2 certainly not. not much in it see IN. too much colloq. an intolerable situation etc. (that really is too much). too much for 1 more than a match for. 2 beyond what is endurable by. øømuchly adv. joc. [ME f. muchel MICKLE: for loss of el cf. BAD, WENCH]