Multiply
/ˈmʌl.tɪ.plaɪ/noun
To increase in number or amount; to cause something to become more numerous.
Did you know?“Multiply” comes through Old French and Latin from the same root behind “manifold” and “man,” so its core idea is literally “to make many,” not just to add.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*men-
“to remain, to think; later in one branch, to denote the idea of many/measure through related developments”
Latin
Latin
multus
“much, many”
Late Latin
Latin
multiplicare
“to multiply, increase; to make manyfold”
Old French
Old French
multiplier
“to multiply, increase”
Middle English
English
multiplyen
“to increase in number; to reproduce or make many”
Modern English
English
multiply
“to increase in number or amount”