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mul·ti·ply¹

(mŭltə-plī′)

v. mul·ti·plied, mul·ti·ply·ing, mul·ti·plies

v.tr.

1. To increase the amount, number, or degree of. See Synonyms at increase.

2. Mathematics To perform multiplication on.

v.intr.

1. To grow in amount, number, or degree: Shops multiplied along the main street.

2. To increase in number by reproducing: "The people increased both in the dales and the plains, and their horses multiplied" (J.R.R. Tolkien).

3. Mathematics To perform multiplication.

[Middle English multiplien, from Old French multiplier, from Latin multiplicāre, from multiplex, multiplex; see MULTIPLEX.]

mul·ti·ply²

(mŭltə-plē′)

adv.

In many or multiple ways.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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