/ ˈmʌltɪtjuːd; NAmE -tuːd/ noun ( formal )
1.
[ C ] multitude (of sth/sb) an extremely large number of things or people :
a multitude of possibilities
a multitude of birds
These elements can be combined in a multitude of different ways.
The region attracts tourists in their multitudes.
2.
the multitude [ sing.+ sing./pl. v . ] (also the multi·tudes [pl.] ) (sometimes disapproving ) the mass of ordinary people :
It was an elite that believed its task was to enlighten the multitude.
to feed the starving multitudes
3.
[ C ] ( literary ) a large crowd of people
SYN throng :
He preached to the assembled multitude.
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IDIOMS
- cover / hide a multitude of sins
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French from Latin multitudo , from multus many.