Many and varied in type; diverse and numerous. As a noun, a mechanical part with multiple connections or a mathematical concept describing surfaces.
From Old English manigfeald 'many-fold,' combining manig 'many' with -feald 'fold.' The word has maintained its basic meaning while acquiring technical uses in engineering and mathematics.
Manifold beautifully demonstrates how mathematical thinking mirrors everyday language - the geometric concept of manifolds as surfaces that locally resemble flat space uses the same 'many-folded' metaphor as the common adjective, showing how technical vocabulary often builds on familiar spatial concepts.
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