many

Meanings

1. 1
   det

   before a countable noun: A large, indefinite number of.

   Not many such people enjoyed playing chess.

2. 2
   det

   before a countable noun: (in combinations such as 'as many', 'so many', 'this many') Used to indicate, demonstrate or compare the number of people or things.

   We don't need this many bananas. Put some back.

3. 3
   pron

   A large, indefinite number of people or things.

   Many are called, but few are chosen.

4. 4
   noun

   A multitude; a great aggregate; a mass of people; the generality; the common herd.

   Democracy must balance the rights of the few against the will of the many.

5. 5
   noun

   A considerable number.

   I know that my mother cried a many of times from decisions I made.

6. 6
   adj

   Existing in large number; numerous.

   Let’s take these fears about a rich, strong China to their logical extreme. The U.S. and Chinese governments are always disagreeing—about trade, foreign policy, the environment. Someday the disagreement could be severe. Taiwan, Tibet, North Korea, Iran—the possibilities are many, though Taiwan always heads the list.

7. 7
   adj

   a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `as' or `too' or `so' or `that'

8. 8
   name

   A surname.

Etymology

From Middle English many, mani, moni, from Old English maniġ, moniġ, maneġ (“many”), from Proto-West Germanic *manag, from Proto-Germanic *managaz (“many; much”), from Proto-Indo-European *menegʰ-, *mengʰ- (“many, sufficient”) or Proto-Indo-European *méǵh₂- (“big, great”). Cognates Cognate with Scots mony (“many”), Yola many (“many”), North Frisian manag, manig, mäning (“many”), Alemannic German meng (“many”), Central Franconian mannich, männich (“many”), Dutch menig (“many”), German manch (“many, some”), Low German männich, männig (“many”), Luxembourgish muench, munch, munnech (“many”), Danis…