Multiplicity vs Plurality - What's the difference?
multiplicity | plurality | Synonyms |
the state of being made of multiple diverse elements
(mathematics) the number of values for which a given condition holds
a large indeterminate number
(software engineering, UML) The number of instances that can occur on a given end of a relationship, including 0..1, 1, 0..* or *, and 1..*.
(uncountable) The state of being plural.
(ecclesiastical) The holding of multiple benefices.
* 1644 , (John Milton), Aeropagitica :
(countable) A state of being numerous.
(countable) A number or part of a whole which is greater than any other number or part, but not necessarily a majority.
(countable) A number of votes for a single candidate or position which is greater than the number of votes gained by any other single candidate or position voted for, but which is less than a majority of valid votes cast.
* 1977 September 8, "Crime against clarity", editorial, , page 14 [http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=818zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TiMIAAAAIBAJ&pg=1343,2352985]:
(countable) A margin by which a number exceeds another number, especially of votes.
* 1948 December 10, "President Race Ignored by 683,382 Voters", , page A-2 [http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=acQcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ulcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6598,2141245]:
(countable) A group of many entities: a large number.
(countable) A group composed of more than one entity.
* 1989 , United States Patent 5065364, abstract:
(of spouses) polygamy.
Plurality is a antonym of multiplicity.
Plurality is a synonym of multiplicity.
As nouns the difference between multiplicity and plurality
is that multiplicity is the state of being made of multiple diverse elements while plurality is the state of being plural.multiplicity
English
Noun
(wikipedia multiplicity) (multiplicities)See also
* cardinality * manynessplurality
English
Noun
- It was the complaint and lamentation of Prelats, upon every least breath of a motion to remove pluralities , and distribute more equally Church revennu's, that then all learning would be for ever dasht and discourag'd.
- To repeal the tax (Question I), a 50 per cent majority vote is required. To keep the tax in its 1976 form (Question III), only a plurality of votes is required.
- Truman's total vote was 24,104,836. Dewey received 21,969,500;. Truman won by a plurality of 2,135,336, but it was the first time since 1916 that a winner has failed to capture a majority of all votes cast.
- A plurality of ideas were put forth at the meeting, most of which were rejected out of hand.
- The array is organized into a plurality of vertical (column) blocks.