n. (pl. -ies) 1 the property of things that is measurable. 2 the size or extent or weight or amount or number. 3 a specified or considerable portion or number or amount (buys in quantity; the quantity of heat in a body). 4 (in pl.) large amounts or numbers; an abundance (quantities of food; is found in quantities on the shore). 5 the length or shortness of vowel sounds or syllables. 6 Math. a a value, component, etc. that may be expressed in numbers. b the figure or symbol representing this. quantity mark a mark put over a vowel etc. to indicate its length. quantity surveyor a person who measures and prices building work. quantity theory the hypothesis that prices correspond to changes in the monetary supply.
[ ME f. OF quantité f. L quantitas -tatis f. quantus how much ]