Mul"ti*tude (?), n. [F. multitude, L. multitudo, multitudinis, fr. multus much, many; of unknown origin.] 1. A great number of persons collected together; a numerous collection of persons; a crowd; an assembly.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.
Matt. ix. 36.
2. A great number of persons or things, regarded collectively; as, the book will be read by a multitude of people; the multitude of stars; a multitude of cares.
It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that they uttery neglect method in their harangues.
I. Watts.
A multitude of flowers
As countless as the stars on high.
Longfellow.
3. The state of being many; numerousness.
They came as grasshoppers for multitude.
Judg. vi. 5.
The multitude, the populace; the mass of men.
Syn. -- Throng; crowd; assembly; assemblage; commonalty; swarm; populace; vulgar. See Throng.
© Webster 1913. | 
