multitudes
群衆
解説 Definition
multitudes は multitude（多数、群衆）の複数形です。多くの人々や非常に多数のものを表し、やや文語的または強調的な響きがあります。
Multitudes are very large numbers of people or things, especially groups of people viewed collectively. The plural form often has a literary, biblical, or strongly emphatic tone rather than the neutral tone of “many people.”
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
原形 multitude「非常に多数・大群衆」に規則的な複数語尾 -s を付けた形で、語末は有声音の後なので /z/ と発音します。many people より文語的で規模の大きさを強調する語です。multitudes gathered、attracted multitudes のまとまりで、大勢が集まる場面と結び付けましょう。
Multitudes is the regular plural of multitude: add -s, pronounced /z/ because it follows a voiced sound. Connect it with multi-, the familiar idea of “many” in multiple and multiply. Unlike the ordinary phrase many people, multitudes sounds elevated or emphatic and suggests people present in overwhelming numbers. Remember it through patterns such as multitudes gathered in the square, a festival attracted multitudes, and multitudes of visitors. The singular multitude can also mean a vast crowd, while the plural often emphasizes several masses or an immense number collectively.
例文
Multitudes gathered in the square to hear the speech.
演説を聞くために、大勢の群衆が広場に集まりました。
The festival attracted multitudes from nearby towns.
その祭りは近隣の町から大勢の人々を引きつけました。
Multitudes waited outside the station after the trains stopped.
列車が止まった後、駅の外で大勢の人々が待っていました。
multitudes の類義語・関連語
multitudes の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ラテン語 multitudo（多数・群衆）から、仏語経由で英語に。語根 multus（多い）+ 接尾辞 -tudo（状態）の構成。関連語：multiply（掛け算・増やす）、multiple（複数の）。「多さそのもの」が転じて大群衆を意味するようになった。
Multitude entered English through Old French from Latin multitudo, meaning “a great number” or “a crowd.” The Latin noun was based on multus, “much” or “many,” with the noun-forming suffix -tudo, which expressed a state or condition. English words such as multiple and multiply share the historical idea of many or much. Multitudes is the regular English plural of multitude.
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