manifold

[ man-uh-fohld ]

adjective

1. of many kinds; numerous and varied:

   manifold duties.

   Synonyms: multitudinous, various

   Antonyms: single, simple

2. having numerous different parts, elements, features, forms, etc.:

   a manifold program for social reform.

   Synonyms: multifarious, divers, varied

3. using, functioning with, or operating several similar or identical devices at the same time.
4. (of paper business forms) made up of a number of sheets interleaved with carbon paper.
5. being such or so designated for many reasons:

   a manifold enemy.

noun

1. something having many different parts or features.
2. a copy or facsimile, as of something written, such as is made by manifolding.
3. any thin, inexpensive paper for making carbon copies on a typewriter.
4. Machinery. a chamber having several outlets through which a liquid or gas is distributed or gathered.
5. Philosophy. (in Kantian epistemology) the totality of discrete items of experience as presented to the mind; the constituents of a sensory experience.
6. Mathematics. a topological space that is connected and locally Euclidean. Compare locally Euclidean space.

verb (used with object)

1. to make copies of, as with carbon paper.

manifold

/ ˈmænɪˌfəʊld /

adjective

1. of several different kinds; multiple

   manifold reasons

2. having many different forms, features, or elements

   manifold breeds of dog

noun

1. something having many varied parts, forms, or features
2. a copy of a page, book, etc
3. a chamber or pipe with a number of inlets or outlets used to collect or distribute a fluid. In an internal-combustion engine the inlet manifold carries the vaporized fuel from the carburettor to the inlet ports and the exhaust manifold carries the exhaust gases away
4. maths
   1. a collection of objects or a set
   2. a topological space having specific properties
5. (in the philosophy of Kant) the totality of the separate elements of sensation which are then organized by the active mind and conceptualized as a perception of an external object

verb

1. tr to duplicate (a page, book, etc)
2. to make manifold; multiply

manifold

/ măn′ə-fōld′ /

1. A topological space or surface.

Derived Forms

• ˈmaniˌfoldness, noun
• ˈmaniˌfolder, noun
• ˈmaniˌfoldly, adverb

Other Words From

• mani·foldly adverb
• mani·foldness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of manifold¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English manigf(e)ald (adjective). See many, -fold

Word History and Origins

Origin of manifold¹

Old English manigfeald. See many , -fold

Synonym Study

See many.

Example Sentences

The reasons are manifold, starting with early marriages and teen pregnancies.

From Fortune

A Calabi-Yau manifold is a compact, complex Kähler manifold with a trivial first Chern class.

From Nautilus

Poor Riemann did not name Riemannian manifolds after himself.

From Nautilus

For a high-profile example, let’s take the Calabi-Yau manifold, made famous by string theory.

From Nautilus

In the same way, positive word of mouth can boost up your sales manifolds.

From Search Engine Watch

Manifold the wonders,” said Sophocles, “nothing towers more wondrous than man!

From The Daily Beast

First, the Texas governor will have to explain away the manifold gaffes and failures from his last presidential campaign.

From The Daily Beast

But the accomplishments this group has managed to achieve in a very short time are manifold.

From The Daily Beast

My first son was about to be born, and I was terrified that my manifold inadequacies as a man would sabotage my success as a dad.

From The Daily Beast

Tributes to Barzun, who authored a massive shelf full of books from 1932-2004, will and have been manifold.

From The Daily Beast

Out of manifold experiences in the tragical annals of mankind came the terrible Ahriman.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a constrained late dinner, at the end of which Mamma picked up Judy and put her to bed with endearments manifold.

From Project Gutenberg

The primitive believers, in the midst of their manifold persecutions, rejoiced even in tribulation.

From Project Gutenberg

The grievances which had arisen out of it were manifold; and as a remedy for them he proposed the re-union of the two provinces.

From Project Gutenberg

And then again he remembered his manifold calamities, and burrowed and wallowed in the sense of his disgrace and shame.

From Project Gutenberg