D defs.my
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Entry 4 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Many

/mĕn'-ē/ · Ma·ny · IPA /ˈmɛni/
01 n. A retinue of servants; a household.
  1. 1.
    A retinue of servants; a household.[Obs.]
02 a. & pron. Consisting of a great number; numerous; not few.
  1. 1.
    Consisting of a great number; numerous; not few.
    “Thou shalt be a father of many nations.” — Gen. xvii. 4.
    “Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” — 1 Cor. i. 26.
Phrases & compounds
Many a — a large number taken distributively; each one of many.
Many one — many a one; many persons.
The many — the majority; -- opposed to the few. See Many, n.
Too many — too numerous; hence, too powerful; as, they are too many for us.
Syn. Numerous; multiplied; frequent; manifold; various; divers; sundry.
03 n. The populace; the common people; the majority of people, or of a community.
  1. 1.
    The populace; the common people; the majority of people, or of a community.
    “After him the rascal many ran.” — Spenser.
  2. 2.
    A large or considerable number.
    “A many of our bodies shall no doubt Find native graves.” — Shak.
    “Seeing a great many in rich gowns.” — Addison.
    “It will be concluded by many that he lived like an honest man.” — Fielding.
    “He is liable to a great many inconveniences.” — Tillotson.