Mul"ti*ply (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Multiplied (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Multiplying (?).] [F. multiplier, L.
multiplicare, fr. multiplex manifold. See
Multitude, Complex.] 1. To
increase in number; to make more numerous; to add quantity
to.
Impunity will multiply motives to
disobedience.
Ames.
2. (Math.) To add (any given number or
quantity) to itself a certain number of times; to find the product of
by multiplication; thus 7 multiplied by 8 produces the number
56; to multiply two numbers. See the Note under
Multiplication.
3. To increase (the amount of gold or silver)
by the arts of alchemy. [Obs.]
Multiplying gear (Mach.), gear for
increasing speed. -- Multiplying lens.
(Opt.) See under Lens.
Mul"ti*ply, v. i. 1.
To become greater in number; to become numerous.
When men began to multiply on the face of the
earth, and daughters were born unto them.
Gen. vi.
1.
2. To increase in extent and influence; to
spread.
The word of God grew and
multiplied.
Acts xii. 24.
3. To increase amount of gold or silver by
the arts of alchemy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
