What is "the multitude"

Multitude \Mul"ti*tude\, 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.

   But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.
   --Matt. ix. 36.

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.

   It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that they utterly neglect method in their harangues.
   --I. Watts.

   A multitude of flowers As countless as the stars on high.
   --Longfellow.

3. The state of being many; numerousness.

   They came as grasshoppers for multitude.
   --Judg. vi. 5.

   The multitude, the populace; the mass of men.

   Syn: Throng; crowd; assembly; assemblage; commonalty; swarm; populace; vulgar. See Throng.