Multiple means having or involving many parts, people, or things, rather than just one. In math, a multiple of a number is a value that can be divided by that number with no remainder.
From Late Latin *multiplex* “having many folds or parts,” from *multi-* “many” + *-plex* “folded.” The English form *multiple* developed through French influence and became common in scientific and everyday use.
The math meaning of “multiple” is very literal: 12 is a multiple of 3 because it’s like 3 repeated or “folded” four times. The same idea shows up in daily language when we say “multiple reasons” or “multiple choice”—we’re really saying “many layers or copies.” The word is a bridge between math thinking and everyday thinking.
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