multi-ply

US: (mul′tē plī′, mul′tī-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

mul•ti-ply  (mul′tē plī′, mul′tī-), adj. 

1. having or composed of several plies:
   a multi-ply fabric.

• 1935–40

mul•ti•ply¹  (mul′tə plī′), v., -plied, -ply•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to make many or manifold;
   increase the number, quantity, etc., of.
2. [Arith.] to find the product of by multiplication.
3. Animal Husbandry to breed (animals).
4. to propagate (plants).
5. to increase by procreation.

v.i. 

6. to grow in number, quantity, etc.;
   increase.
7. [Arith.] to perform the process of multiplication.
8. to increase in number by procreation or natural generation.

• Latin multiplicāre. See multi-, ply²
• Old French multiplier
• Middle English multiplien 1225–75

Synonyms

• 6. magnify, enlarge, intensify.

mul•ti•ply²  (mul′tə plē), adv. 

1. in several or many ways;
   in a multiple manner;
   manifoldly.

• multiple + -ly 1880–85