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Multiply vs By - What's the difference?

multiply | by |

As verbs the difference between multiply and by

is that multiply is to increase the amount, degree or number of (something) while by is .

As nouns the difference between multiply and by

is that multiply is (computer science) an act or instance of multiplying while by is bee (insect).

As an adverb multiply

is in many or multiple ways.

multiply

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) multiplier, from (etyl) . The noun presumably derives from the verb.

Verb

  • To increase the amount, degree or number of (something).
  • * Ames
  • Impunity will multiply motives to disobedience.
  • (arithmetic) To perform multiplication on (a number).
  • To grow in number.
  • To breed or propagate.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-20, volume=408, issue=8845, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= Welcome to the plastisphere , passage=[The researchers] noticed many of their pieces of [plastic marine] debris sported surface pits around two microns across.
  • (arithmetic) To perform multiplication.
  • (rare) To be a factor in a multiplication with (another factor).
  • * 1983 , Graham Flegg, Numbers , 2002 edition, ISBN 0486421651, page 154 [http://books.google.com/books?id=C0Wcb9c6c18C&pg=PA154&dq=multiplies]:
  • This follows a similar process, counters having to be removed and replaced at each stage of the remaining part of the calculation except the final one, where 2 multiplies 3 to give 6.
  • * 1993 , Edward T. Dowling, (w, Schaum's Outline) of Theory and Problems of Mathematical Methods for Business and Economics , ISBN 0070176744, page 14 [http://books.google.com/books?id=8PaQk7LodfoC&pg=PA14&dq=multiplies]:
  • Of all the possible combinations of factors above, only (2\cdot4)+(3\cdot5)=23. Carefully arranging the factors, therefore, to ensure that 2 multiplies' 4 and 3 ' multiplies 5, we have
  • *:: 6x^2+23x+20=(2x+5)(3x+4)
  • Synonyms
    * (l)

    Noun

    (multiplies)
  • (computer science) An act or instance of multiplying.
  • Etymology 2

    .

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In many or multiple ways.
  • English heteronyms

    by

    English

    (wikipedia by)

    Alternative forms

    * bye (archaic for preposition and adverb, not used for abbreviation, preferred for noun and interjection)

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • Near or next to.
  • At some time before (the given time), or before the end of a given time interval.
  • (Indicates the actor in a clause with its verb in the passive voice): Through the action or presence of.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=September 28, author=Jon Smith, work=BBC Sport
  • , title= Valencia 1-1 Chelsea , passage=Valencia threatened sporadically in the first half with Miguel having a decent effort deflected wide by Ashley Cole, while Jordi Alba's near-post cross was flicked into the sidenetting by Pablo Hernandez.}}
  • (Indicates the creator of a work): Existing through the authorship etc. of.
  • (Indicates the cause of a condition or event): Through the action of, caused by, responsibility for; by dint of.
  • * 1874 , (Thomas Hardy), (Far from the Madding Crowd) , 2005 Barnes & Noble Classics publication of 1912 Wessex edition, p.109:
  • In other directions the fields and sky were so much of one colour by the snow that it was difficult in a hasty glance to tell whereabouts the horizon occurred.
  • (Indicates a means): Involving/using the means of.
  • *
  • *:"I don't want to spoil any comparison you are going to make," said Jim, "but I was at Winchester and New College." ¶ "That will do," said Mackenzie. "I was dragged up at the workhouse school till I was twelve. Then I ran away and sold papers in the streets, and anything else that I could pick up a few coppers by —except steal."
  • (Indicates a source of light): Medium emanating from hot sources.
  • * 1945 , Neva L. Boyd, Handbook of Recreational Games , 1975 edition, ISBN 0486232042, p.16:
  • Players: Can we get there by candlelight? ¶ Gatekeepers: Yes and back again.
  • * 1960 , , (One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish)
  • By' the light of the moon, / ' by the light of a star / they walked all night
  • (senseid).
  • (Indicates the amount of some progression): With a change of.
  • (Indicates a referenced source): According to.
  • (Indicates an oath): With the authority of.
  • Derived terms

    * bit by bit * by degrees * by dint of * by one's lonesome * by oneself * by means of * by rights * by the book * by the by * by the bye * by the way * by your leave * by way of * do good by * do right by * hard by * side by side

    Adverb

    (-)
  • Along a path which runs by the speaker.
  • I watched as it passed by .
  • In the vicinity, near.
  • There was a shepherd close by .
    The shop is hard by the High Street.
  • * Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness
  • [The helmsman] steered with no end of a swagger while you were by ; but if he lost sight of you, he became instantly the prey of an abject funk
  • To or at a place, as a residence or place of business.
  • I'll stop by on my way home from work.
    We're right near the lifeguard station. Come by before you leave.
  • Aside, away.
  • The women spent much time after harvest putting jams by for winter and spring.

    Derived terms

    * by the by * drop by * full and by * nearby * pass by * passerby * put by * right by * stand by * stop by * bypass

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Out of the way, subsidiary.
  • Antonyms

    * main, principal

    Derived terms

    * bypass * byroad * bystander * byway

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (card games) A pass
  • Interjection

    (en interjection)