multitude

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them. Matt. ix. 36. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that they utterly neglect method in their harangues. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

A multitude of flowers
As countless as the stars on high. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The state of being many; numerousness. [ 1913 Webster ]

They came as grasshoppers for multitude. Judg. vi. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

The multitude, the populace; the mass of men. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Throng; crowd; assembly; assemblage; commonalty; swarm; populace; vulgar. See Throng. [ 1913 Webster ]