manifold

¹man·i·fold

adjective \ˈma-nə-ˌfōld\

Definition of MANIFOLD

1

a : marked by diversity or variety

b : many

2

: comprehending or uniting various features : multifarious

3

: rightfully so-called for many reasons <a manifold liar>

4

: consisting of or operating many of one kind combined <a manifold bellpull>

— man·i·fold·ly \-ˌfōl(d)-lē\ adverb

— man·i·fold·ness \-ˌfōl(d)-nəs\ noun

Examples of MANIFOLD

1. The benefits of this approach are manifold.
2. <the manifold attractions of that state make it an ideal destination for a family vacation>

Origin of MANIFOLD

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to MANIFOLD

Synonyms

divers, multifarious, myriad

Related Words

multiform, multiple, multiplex, multitudinous; heterogeneous, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, sundry, various; different, diverse, unlike, varied

Near Antonyms

homogeneous, homogenous, monolithic, unmixed, unvaried; alike, identical, same; distinct, distinctive, individual, separate; alone, lone, only, sole, solitary; singular, unique

Rhymes with MANIFOLD

centerfold, common cold, copyhold, fingerhold, hundredfold, manyfold, marigold, multifold, oversold, petioled, scissors hold, sevenfold, severalfold, sooty mold, stranglehold, thousandfold, throttlehold, water mold

²manifold

adverb

Definition of MANIFOLD

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

First Known Use of MANIFOLD

before 12th century

³manifold

verb

Definition of MANIFOLD

transitive verb

1

: to make manifold : multiply

2

: to make several or many copies of

intransitive verb

: to make several or many copies

First Known Use of MANIFOLD

before 12th century

⁴manifold

noun

Definition of MANIFOLD

: something that is manifold: as

a : a whole that unites or consists of many diverse elements <the manifold of aspirations, passions, frustrations — Harry Slochower>

b : a pipe fitting with several lateral outlets for connecting one pipe with others; also : a fitting on an internal combustion engine that directs a fuel and air mixture to or receives the exhaust gases from several cylinders

c : set 21

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

First Known Use of MANIFOLD

circa 1823

manifold

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In mathematics, a topological space (see topology) with a family of local coordinate systems related to each other by certain classes of coordinate transformations. Manifolds occur in algebraic geometry, differential equations, and classical dynamics. They are studied for their global properties by the methods of algebra and algebraic topology and form a natural domain for the global analysis of differential equations. See also tensor analysis.