manifold

man·i·fold

ˈmanəˌfōld/

adjective

adjective: manifold

1. 1.

   many and various.

   “the implications of this decision were manifold”

   synonyms:

   many, numerous, multiple, multifarious, legion, diverse, various, several, varied, different, miscellaneous, assorted, sundry; literarymyriad, divers “the problems are manifold”

   • having many different forms or elements.

     “the appeal of the crusade was manifold”

     synonyms:

     many, numerous, multiple, multifarious, legion, diverse, various, several, varied, different, miscellaneous, assorted, sundry; More literarymyriad, divers “the problems are manifold”

noun

noun: manifold; plural noun: manifolds

1. 1.

   a pipe or chamber branching into several openings.

   “the pipeline manifold”

   • (in an internal combustion engine) the part conveying air and fuel from the carburetor to the cylinders or that leading from the cylinders to the exhaust pipe.

     “the exhaust manifold”
2. 2.

   technical

   something with many different parts or forms, in particular.

   • Mathematics

     a collection of points forming a certain kind of set, such as those of a topologically closed surface or an analog of this in three or more dimensions.
   • (in Kantian philosophy) the sum of the particulars furnished by sense before they have been unified by the synthesis of the understanding.

Origin

Old English manigfeald ; current noun senses date from the mid 19th cent.