adj. & n.
--adj. (more; most) great in number; numerous (many times; many people; many a person; his reasons were many).
--n. (as pl.)
1. a large number (many like skiing; many went).
2 (prec. by the) the multitude of esp. working people.
Phrases and idioms:
as many the same number of (six mistakes in as many lines). as many again the same number additionally (sixty here and as many again there). be too (or one too) many for outwit, baffle. a good (or great) many a large number. many-sided having many sides, aspects, interests, capabilities, etc. many-sidedness n. the fact or state of being many-sided. many's the time often (many's the time we saw it). many a time many times.
Etymology: OE manig, ult. f. Gmc