multiply
UK[ˈmʌltɪplaɪ]US[ˈmʌltɪplaɪ]
v
to add a number to itself a particular number of times
v
to increase greatly in number or amount
v
(of an animal or plant) to breed or reproduce
Morpheme Breakdown
multi
ply
multi
many
ply
to fold
Etymology
the word 'multiply' originates from the latin verb multiplicāre, which itself is a compound of multus ('much, many') and plicāre ('to fold'). the core logic is one of repeated folding or layering, a metaphor for increasing quantity. this literal sense of creating many layers evolved into the general mathematical concept of repeated addition. over time, the meaning broadened further to encompass any process of rapid numerical increase, such as biological reproduction or the proliferation of objects.
Analysis
Structure: multi (many) + ply (to fold)
multi: from latin multus, meaning 'much, many'. it functions as a combining form indicating quantity or multiplicity.
ply: from latin plicāre, meaning 'to fold'. in this context, it functions as a verb-forming element meaning 'to perform an action repeatedly'.
Examples
children learn to multiply and divide in elementary school.
mistakes will multiply if the initial instructions are not clear.
rabbits have a remarkable ability to multiply quickly.