Manifold

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /ˈmænɪˌfold/
• RP IPA: /ˈmænɪˌfəʊld/
• Hyphenation: man + i + fold
• Rhymes: -ænɪfoÊŠld
• Homophones: manyfold

Alternative forms

• manyfold

From Middle English, from Old English maniġfeald ("manifold, various, varied, complicated, numerous, abundant, plural"), from Proto-Germanic *managaz ("many") + *-falþaz ("-fold"), equivalent to many + -fold. Cognate with Middle High German manecvalt ("manifold"), Icelandic margfaldr ("multiple"). Compare also German mannigfaltig ("various"), Dutch menigvoudig ("various"), Danish mangfoldig ("diverse"), Swedish mångfaldig ("multiple, manifold, diverse").

Full definition of manifold

Noun

1. (now historical) A copy made by the manifold writing process.
2. (mechanics) A pipe fitting or similar device that connects multiple inputs or outputs.
3. (US, regional, in the plural) The third stomach of a ruminant animal, an omasum.
• 1830 Anson, Somerset Co. Me., accessed 12 June 2007My conjecture being right he will find the third stomach, or manifolds, the seat of difficulty.
4. (mathematics) A topological space that looks locally like the "ordinary" Euclidean space $\backslash mathbb\{R\}^n$ and is Hausdorff.

Derived terms

• manifolder
• manifoldly
• manifoldness

Adjective

1. Various in kind or quality, diverseThe manifold meanings of the simple English word 'set' are infamous among dictionary makers.
2. Many in number, numerous; multiple, multiplied.
3. Complicated.
4. Exhibited at diverse times or in various ways.c1384 ... the manyfold grace of God. — I Petre 4:10 (Wycliffe's Bible)1611 The manifold wisdom of God. — Ephesians 3:10. (King James Bible)

Derived terms

• manifold writing

Adverb

1. Many times; repeatedly.
• 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, I.xii:when his daughter deare he does behold,
  Her dearely doth imbrace, and kisseth manifold.

From Middle English manifolden, from Old English maniġfealdan ("to multiply, abound, increase, extend, reward"), equivalent to many + -fold. Cognate with Middle High German manecvalten, Icelandic margfalda ("to multiply"), Swedish mångfaldiga ("to manifold, reproduce").

Verb

1. (transitive) To make manifold; multiply.
2. (transitive, printing) To multiply or reproduce impressions of by a single operation.