DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Mul·ti·ple a. Containing more than once, or more than one; consisting of more than one; manifold; repeated many times; having several, or many, parts.
Law of multiple proportion Chem., the generalization that when the same elements unite in more than one proportion, forming two or more different compounds, the higher proportions of the elements in such compounds are simple multiples of the lowest proportion, or the proportions are connected by some simple common factor; thus, iron and oxygen unite in the proportions FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, in which compounds, considering the oxygen, 3 and 4 are simple multiplies of 1. Called also the Law of Dalton or Dalton's Law, from its discoverer.
Multiple algebra, a branch of advanced mathematics that treats of operations upon units compounded of two or more unlike units.
Multiple conjugation Biol., a coalescence of many cells (as where an indefinite number of amoeboid cells flow together into a single mass) from which conjugation proper and even fertilization may have been evolved.
Multiple fruits. Bot. See Collective fruit, under Collective.
Multiple star Astron., several stars in close proximity, which appear to form a single system.
Col·lect·ive a.
1. Formed by gathering or collecting; gathered into a mass, sum, or body; congregated or aggregated; as, the collective body of a nation.
2. Deducing consequences; reasoning; inferring. [Obs.] “Critical and collective reason.”
3. Gram. Expressing a collection or aggregate of individuals, by a singular form; as, a collective name or noun, like assembly, army, jury, etc.
4. Tending to collect; forming a collection.
Local is his throne . . . to fix a point,
A central point, collective of his sons. --Young.
5. Having plurality of origin or authority; as, in diplomacy, a note signed by the representatives of several governments is called a collective note.
Collective fruit Bot., that which is formed from a mass of flowers, as the mulberry, pineapple, and the like; -- called also multiple fruit.