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9 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 :   [ gcide ]

  Multiple \Mul"ti*ple\, a. [Cf. F. multiple, and E. quadruple,
     and multiply.]
     Containing more than once, or more than one; consisting of
     more than one; manifold; repeated many times; having several,
     or many, parts.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     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 am[oe]boid 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.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 :   [ gcide ]

  Star \Star\ (st[aum]r), n. [OE. sterre, AS. steorra; akin to
     OFries. stera, OS. sterro, D. ster, OHG. sterno, sterro, G.
     stern, Icel. stjarna, Sw. stjerna, Dan. stierne, Goth.
     sta['i]rn[=o], Armor. & Corn. steren, L. stella, Gr. 'asth`r,
     'a`stron, Skr. star; perhaps from a root meaning, to scatter,
     Skr. st[.r], L. sternere (cf. Stratum), and originally
     applied to the stars as being strewn over the sky, or as
     being scatterers or spreaders of light. [root]296. Cf.
     Aster, Asteroid, Constellation, Disaster, Stellar.]
     1. One of the innumerable luminous bodies seen in the
        heavens; any heavenly body other than the sun, moon,
        comets, and nebul[ae].
        [1913 Webster]
  
              His eyen twinkled in his head aright,
              As do the stars in the frosty night.  --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The stars are distinguished as planets, and fixed
           stars. See Planet, Fixed stars under Fixed, and
           Magnitude of a star under Magnitude.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The polestar; the north star. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Astrol.) A planet supposed to influence one's destiny;
        (usually pl.) a configuration of the planets, supposed to
        influence fortune.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              O malignant and ill-brooding stars.   --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Blesses his stars, and thinks it luxury. --Addison.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. That which resembles the figure of a star, as an ornament
        worn on the breast to indicate rank or honor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              On whom . . .
              Lavish Honor showered all her stars.  --Tennyson.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. Specifically, a radiated mark in writing or printing; an
        asterisk [thus, *]; -- used as a reference to a note, or
        to fill a blank where something is omitted, etc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. (Pyrotechny) A composition of combustible matter used in
        the heading of rockets, in mines, etc., which, exploding
        in the air, presents a starlike appearance.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     7. A person of brilliant and attractive qualities, especially
        on public occasions, as a distinguished orator, a leading
        theatrical performer, etc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Star is used in the formation of compound words
           generally of obvious signification; as, star-aspiring,
           star-bespangled, star-bestudded, star-blasting,
           star-bright, star-crowned, star-directed, star-eyed,
           star-headed, star-paved, star-roofed, star-sprinkled,
           star-wreathed.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Blazing star, Double star, Multiple star, Shooting
     star, etc. See under Blazing, Double, etc.
  
     Nebulous star (Astron.), a small well-defined circular
        nebula, having a bright nucleus at its center like a star.
        
  
     Star anise (Bot.), any plant of the genus Illicium; -- so
        called from its star-shaped capsules.
  
     Star apple (Bot.), a tropical American tree ({Chrysophyllum
        Cainito), having a milky juice and oblong leaves with a
        silky-golden pubescence beneath. It bears an applelike
        fruit, the carpels of which present a starlike figure when
        cut across. The name is extended to the whole genus of
        about sixty species, and the natural order
        ({Sapotace[ae]) to which it belongs is called the
        Star-apple family.
  
     Star conner, one who cons, or studies, the stars; an
        astronomer or an astrologer. --Gascoigne.
  
     Star coral (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of stony
        corals belonging to Astr[ae]a, Orbicella, and allied
        genera, in which the calicles are round or polygonal and
        contain conspicuous radiating septa.
  
     Star cucumber. (Bot.) See under Cucumber.
  
     Star flower. (Bot.)
        (a) A plant of the genus Ornithogalum;
            star-of-Bethlehem.
        (b) See Starwort
        (b) .
        (c) An American plant of the genus Trientalis
            ({Trientalis Americana). --Gray.
  
     Star fort (Fort.), a fort surrounded on the exterior with
        projecting angles; -- whence the name.
  
     Star gauge (Ordnance), a long rod, with adjustable points
        projecting radially at its end, for measuring the size of
        different parts of the bore of a gun.
  
     Star grass. (Bot.)
        (a) A small grasslike plant ({Hypoxis erecta) having
            star-shaped yellow flowers.
        (b) The colicroot. See Colicroot.
  
     Star hyacinth (Bot.), a bulbous plant of the genus Scilla
        ({S. autumnalis); -- called also star-headed hyacinth.
        
  
     Star jelly (Bot.), any one of several gelatinous plants
        ({Nostoc commune, N. edule, etc.). See Nostoc.
  
     Star lizard. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Stellion.
  
     Star-of-Bethlehem (Bot.), a bulbous liliaceous plant
        ({Ornithogalum umbellatum) having a small white starlike
        flower.
  
     Star-of-the-earth (Bot.), a plant of the genus P
        ({Plantago coronopus), growing upon the seashore.
  
     Star polygon (Geom.), a polygon whose sides cut each other
        so as to form a star-shaped figure.
  
     Stars and Stripes, a popular name for the flag of the
        United States, which consists of thirteen horizontal
        stripes, alternately red and white, and a union having, in
        a blue field, white stars to represent the several States,
        one for each.
  
              With the old flag, the true American flag, the
              Eagle, and the Stars and Stripes, waving over the
              chamber in which we sit.              --D. Webster.
  
     Star showers. See Shooting star, under Shooting.
  
     Star thistle (Bot.), an annual composite plant ({Centaurea
        solstitialis) having the involucre armed with stout
        radiating spines.
  
     Star wheel (Mach.), a star-shaped disk, used as a kind of
        ratchet wheel, in repeating watches and the feed motions
        of some machines.
  
     Star worm (Zo["o]l.), a gephyrean.
  
     Temporary star (Astron.), a star which appears suddenly,
        shines for a period, and then nearly or quite disappears.
        These stars were supposed by some astronomers to be
        variable stars of long and undetermined periods. More
        recently, variations star in start intensity are
        classified more specifically, and this term is now
        obsolescent. See also nova. [Obsolescent]
  
     Variable star (Astron.), a star whose brilliancy varies
        periodically, generally with regularity, but sometimes
        irregularly; -- called periodical star when its changes
        occur at fixed periods.
  
     Water star grass (Bot.), an aquatic plant ({Schollera
        graminea) with small yellow starlike blossoms.
        [1913 Webster]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) :   [ web1913 ]

  Multiple \Mul"ti*ple\, a. [Cf. F. multiple, and E. quadruple,
     and multiply.]
     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
        multiplies 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,
        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 am[oe]boid 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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) :   [ web1913 ]

  
  
     Blazing star, Double star, Multiple star, Shooting
     star, etc. See under Blazing, Double, etc.
  
     Nebulous star (Astron.), a small well-defined circular
        nebula, having a bright nucleus at its center like a star.
        
  
     Star anise (Bot.), any plant of the genus Illicium; -- so
        called from its star-shaped capsules.
  
     Star apple (Bot.), a tropical American tree ({Chrysophyllum
        Cainito), having a milky juice and oblong leaves with a
        silky-golden pubescence beneath. It bears an applelike
        fruit, the carpels of which present a starlike figure when
        cut across. The name is extended to the whole genus of
        about sixty species, and the natural order
        ({Sapotace[ae]) to which it belongs is called the
        Star-apple family.
  
     Star conner, one who cons, or studies, the stars; an
        astronomer or an astrologer. --Gascoigne.
  
     Star coral (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of stony
        corals belonging to Astr[ae]a, Orbicella, and allied
        genera, in which the calicles are round or polygonal and
        contain conspicuous radiating septa.
  
     Star cucumber. (Bot.) See under Cucumber.
  
     Star flower. (Bot.)
        (a) A plant of the genus Ornithogalum;
            star-of-Bethlehem.
        (b) See Starwort
        (b) .
        (c) An American plant of the genus Trientalis
            ({Trientalis Americana). --Gray.
  
     Star fort (Fort.), a fort surrounded on the exterior with
        projecting angles; -- whence the name.
  
     Star gauge (Ordnance), a long rod, with adjustable points
        projecting radially at its end, for measuring the size of
        different parts of the bore of a gun.
  
     Star grass. (Bot.)
        (a) A small grasslike plant ({Hypoxis erecta) having
            star-shaped yellow flowers.
        (b) The colicroot. See Colicroot.
  
     Star hyacinth (Bot.), a bulbous plant of the genus Scilla
        ({S. autumnalis); -- called also star-headed hyacinth.
        
  
     Star jelly (Bot.), any one of several gelatinous plants
        ({Nostoc commune, N. edule, etc.). See Nostoc.
  
     Star lizard. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Stellion.
  
     Star-of-Bethlehem (Bot.), a bulbous liliaceous plant
        ({Ornithogalum umbellatum) having a small white starlike
        flower.
  
     Star-of-the-earth (Bot.), a plant of the genus Plantago
        ({P. coronopus), growing upon the seashore.
  
     Star polygon (Geom.), a polygon whose sides cut each other
        so as to form a star-shaped figure.
  
     Stars and Stripes, a popular name for the flag of the
        United States, which consists of thirteen horizontal
        stripes, alternately red and white, and a union having, in
        a blue field, white stars to represent the several States,
        one for each.
  
              With the old flag, the true American flag, the
              Eagle, and the Stars and Stripes, waving over the
              chamber in which we sit.              --D. Webster.
  
     Star showers. See Shooting star, under Shooting.
  
     Star thistle (Bot.), an annual composite plant ({Centaurea
        solstitialis) having the involucre armed with radiating
        spines.
  
     Star wheel (Mach.), a star-shaped disk, used as a kind of
        ratchet wheel, in repeating watches and the feed motions
        of some machines.
  
     Star worm (Zo["o]l.), a gephyrean.
  
     Temporary star (Astron.), a star which appears suddenly,
        shines for a period, and then nearly or quite disappears.
        These stars are supposed by some astronometers to be
        variable stars of long and undetermined periods.
  
     Variable star (Astron.), a star whose brilliancy varies
        periodically, generally with regularity, but sometimes
        irregularly; -- called periodical star when its changes
        occur at fixed periods.
  
     Water star grass (Bot.), an aquatic plant ({Schollera
        graminea) with small yellow starlike blossoms.

From WordNet (r) 2.0 :   [ wn ]

  multiple star
       n : a system of three or more stars associated by gravity

From English Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-ALL-2023-07-27 ]

  multiple star
     n.
     1 (lb en star) Multiple stars which form a stellar system, such that
  they orbit the point of equilibrium of their gravitational fields; a
  multiple star system.
     2 (lb en star) Multiple stars that appear to be one when seen with
  the naked eye, either because they orbit one another (multiple star
  systems) or happen to be in the same line of sight even though they are
  separated by a great distance.

From English Wiktionary: English language only (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-en-2023-07-27 ]

  multiple star
     n.
     1 (lb en star) Multiple stars which form a stellar system, such that
  they orbit the point of equilibrium of their gravitational fields; a
  multiple star system.
     2 (lb en star) Multiple stars that appear to be one when seen with
  the naked eye, either because they orbit one another (multiple star
  systems) or happen to be in the same line of sight even though they are
  separated by a great distance.

From English Wiktionary: Western, Greek, and Slavonic languages only (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-Western_Greek_Slavonic-2023-07-27 ]

  multiple star
     n.
     1 (lb en star) Multiple stars which form a stellar system, such that
  they orbit the point of equilibrium of their gravitational fields; a
  multiple star system.
     2 (lb en star) Multiple stars that appear to be one when seen with
  the naked eye, either because they orbit one another (multiple star
  systems) or happen to be in the same line of sight even though they are
  separated by a great distance.

From English Wiktionary: Western languages only (2023-07-27) :   [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-Western-2023-07-27 ]

  multiple star
     n.
     1 (lb en star) Multiple stars which form a stellar system, such that
  they orbit the point of equilibrium of their gravitational fields; a
  multiple star system.
     2 (lb en star) Multiple stars that appear to be one when seen with
  the naked eye, either because they orbit one another (multiple star
  systems) or happen to be in the same line of sight even though they are
  separated by a great distance.

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