Word: multitudinous Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Learned borrowing from Latin multitūdin- (the oblique stem of multitūdō (“great number (of people), multitude”)) + English -ous (suffix forming adjectives from nouns, denoting the presence of a quality in any degree (typically an abundance)). Multitūdō is derived from multus (“many; much”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *mel- (“to be late; to worry”)) + -tūdō (suffix forming abstract nouns denoting a condition or state). By surface analysis, multitude + -in- (interfix used before Latinate suffixes appended to nouns ending with -itude or -tude) + -ous. Pronunciation: /ˌmʌltɪˈtjuːdɪnəs/, /-ˈt͡ʃuː-/, /ˌməltəˈt(j)ud(ɪ)n̩əs/ 1. Existing in multitudes or great numbers; very numerous; innumerable. Example: The great impoſtume of the realme vvas dravvne / Euen to a head: the multitudinous ſpavvne / VVas the corruption, vvhich did make it ſvvell / VVith hop'd ſedition (the burnt ſeed of hell.) Example: There vvas alſo another parting ſpeach, vvhich vvas to haue been preſented in the perſon of a youth, and accompanied vvith diuerſe Gentlemens yonger ſonnes of the Countrey, but by reaſon of the Multitudinous preſſe, vvas alſo hindred. 2. Comprising a large number of features or parts; manifold, multiple, myriad; also, having a large number of forms. Example: [I]n a State ſo multitudinous, where ſo many flocks of people muſt be fed, it is impoſſible to haue ſome Trades to ſtand, if they ſhould not Lye. Example: VVhen all the Perſians ſoothed the King in the vnconquerableneſſe of his forces, Artabanus told him, that he feared no enemies but the Sea and the Earth; the one yeelding no ſafe harbour for ſuch a Navie; the other not yeelding ſufficient ſuſtenance for ſo multitudinous an Armie. 3. Comprising a large number of features or parts; manifold, multiple, myriad; also, having a large number of forms. Example: From the whole extent of the invisible vale came a multitudinous intonation; it forced upon their fancy that a great city lay below them, and that the murmur was the vociferation of its populace. Example: The multitudinous shouting confused his ears. 4. Of a body of water, the sea, etc.: huge, vast; also, having innumerable ripples. Labels: literary, poetic Example: VVill all great Neptunes ocean vvaſh this blood / Cleane from my Hand? no: this my Hand vvill rather / The multitudinous Seas incarnardine, / Making the Greene one, Red. 5. Followed by with: crowded with many people or things. Labels: obsolete, poetic Example: The transport of a fierce and monstrous gladness / Spread thro' the multitudinous streets, fast flying / Upon the winds of fear; […] Example: [R]egard this Earth / Made multitudinous with thy slaves, whom thou / Requitest for knee-worship, prayer, and praise, / And toil, and hecatombs of broken hearts, / With fear and self-contempt and barren hope. 6. Of or relating to the multitude (“common people; masses”). Labels: obsolete, rare Example: You […] That preferre / A Noble life, before a Long, and VViſh / To iumpe a Body vvith a dangerous Phyſicke, / That's ſure of death vvithout it: at once plucke out / The Multitudinous Tongue, let them not licke / The ſvveet vvhich is their poyſon. 7. Very fruitful or productive; prolific. Labels: figuratively, obsolete, rare Example: [T]wo very multitudinous versifiers, Mr. Nightshade and Mr. Mac Laurel, who followed the trade of poetry, but occasionally indulged themselves in the composition of bad criticism.