manifold

1 of 4

adjective

man·​i·​fold ˈma-nə-ˌfōld How to pronounce manifold (audio)
1
a
: marked by diversity or variety
performs the manifold duties required of himJ. H. Ferguson
b
: many
the manifold details
2
: comprehending or uniting various features : multifarious
the romantic symphony, with its manifold melodic contentP. H. Lang
3
: rightfully so-called for many reasons
a manifold liar
4
: consisting of or operating many of one kind combined
a manifold bellpull
manifoldly adverb
manifoldness noun

manifold

2 of 4

adverb

: many times : a great deal
will increase your blessings manifold

manifold

3 of 4

verb

manifolded; manifolding; manifolds

transitive verb

1
: to make manifold : multiply
2
: to make several or many copies of

intransitive verb

: to make several or many copies

manifold

4 of 4

noun

: something that is manifold: such as
a
: a whole that unites or consists of many diverse elements
the manifold of aspirations, passions, frustrationsHarry Slochower
b
: a pipe fitting with several lateral outlets for connecting one pipe with others
especially : a fitting on an internal combustion engine that directs a fuel and air mixture to or receives the exhaust gases from several cylinders
d
: a topological space in which every point has a neighborhood that is homeomorphic to the interior of a sphere in Euclidean space of the same number of dimensions

Examples of manifold in a Sentence

Adjective The benefits of this approach are manifold. the manifold attractions of that state make it an ideal destination for a family vacation
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Today, the sector will find legitimacy only in its ability to help confront the manifold crises in ways others cannot. Mark Malloch-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2024 This year alone, 4,000 tech industry jobs have been rendered unnecessary due to the manifold recent technological advancements, per a report from recruiting firm Challenger, Grey and Christmas. Jane Thier, Fortune, 23 Dec. 2023 New Raptor engines will have an improved manifold design, but the list of corrective actions shared by Musk suggested this change will be implemented in the future. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 8 Sep. 2023 For all its manifold benefits, however, road obliteration has proceeded only in fits and starts. Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 The benefits of embedding a ‘Trust but Verify’ philosophy in workplace culture are manifold. Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 The role of technology has expanded manifold in geopolitics and international affairs. Foreign Affairs, 9 Aug. 2023 The previous design was susceptible to leaks, where the hot gas could seep through bolt holes used to attach the manifold to the engine. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 26 June 2023 As the Fed approaches a pivot in this policy cycle — from tightening financial conditions to, at some point, loosening them — the real-world implications are manifold. Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2024
Adverb
In the past fortnight, hope has grown manifold in the field. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 15 Feb. 2022 Experts caution that once firms go public, the scrutiny goes up manifold. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2021
Noun
One major development was the elaboration of Seiberg-Witten theory, which used ideas from physics to distinguish between four-dimensional manifolds. Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 For the Starship’s second test flight, SpaceX teams are modifying manifolds on the Raptor engines that direct hot methane-rich gas toward each engine’s combustion chamber for mixing with oxygen-rich gas. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 26 June 2023 Starting in the late 1960s, mathematicians began to present new examples of contact manifolds. Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2023 On future launches, Raptor engines will have redesigned fuel manifolds to fully address the part that is prone to leaks. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 18 Nov. 2023 Yau spent the next three years proving the existence of the class of manifolds Calabi had originally proposed. Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023 For technical reasons, contact manifolds only come in odd dimensions. Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2023 But in general, the curvature of manifolds can vary from one point to another. Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023 Is the complexity of symplectic manifolds mostly just coming from the complexity of these more flexible, smooth spaces? Quanta Magazine, 29 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'manifold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Verb

Middle English, from Old English manigfeald, from manig many + -feald -fold

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manifold was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near manifold

Cite this Entry

“Manifold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manifold. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

manifold

1 of 3 adjective
man·​i·​fold ˈman-ə-ˌfōld How to pronounce manifold (audio)
1
: of many and various kinds
manifold excuses
2
: including or uniting various features
a manifold personality
3
: consisting of or operating many of one kind joined together
a manifold pipe
manifoldly adverb

manifold

2 of 3 noun
: something manifold
especially : a pipe fitting having several outlets for connecting one pipe with others

manifold

3 of 3 verb
: to make several copies
manifold a manuscript

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