Definition of Plurality

1. Noun. The state of being plural. "To mark plurality, one language may add an extra syllable to the word whereas another may simply change the vowel in the existing final syllable"

Generic synonyms: State
Derivative terms: Plural

2. Noun. A large indefinite number. "A plurality of religions"

3. Noun. (in an election with more than 2 options) the number of votes for the candidate or party receiving the greatest number (but less that half of the votes).
Exact synonyms: Relative Majority
Category relationships: Election
Generic synonyms: Relative Quantity

Definition of Plurality

1. n. The state of being plural, or consisting of more than one; a number consisting of two or more of the same kind; as, a plurality of worlds; the plurality of a verb.

Definition of Plurality

1. Noun. The state of being plural. ¹

2. Noun. (ecclesiastical) The holding of multiple benefices. ¹

3. Noun. A state of being numerous. ¹

4. Noun. A number of votes for a single candidate or position which is greater than the number of votes gained by any other single candidate or position voted for, but which is less than a majority of valid votes cast. ¹

5. Noun. A margin by which a number exceeds another number, especially of votes. ¹

6. Noun. A group of many entities: a large number. ¹

7. Noun. A group composed of more than one entity. ¹

8. Noun. (context: of spouses) polygamy. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Plurality

1. [n -TIES]

Medical Definition of Plurality

1. Origin: L. Pluralitas. 1. The state of being plural, or consisting of more than one; a number consisting of two or more of the same kind; as, a plurality of worlds; the plurality of a verb. 2. The greater number; a majority; also, the greatest of several numbers; in elections, the excess of the votes given for one candidate over those given for another, or for any other, candidate. When there are more than two candidates, the one who receives the plurality of votes may have less than a majority. See Majority. "Take the plurality of the world, and they are neither wise nor good." (L'Estrange) 3. See Plurality of benefices, below. Plurality of benefices, the possession by one clergyman of more than one benefice or living. Each benefice thus held is called a plurality. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Plurality

pluralisability
pluralisable
pluralisation
pluralisations
pluralise
pluralised
pluralises
pluralising
pluralism
pluralisms
pluralist
pluralistic
pluralistically
pluralists
pluralities
plurality (current term)
pluralizability
pluralizable
pluralization
pluralizations
pluralize
pluralized
pluralizer
pluralizers
pluralizes
pluralizing
plurally
plurals
pluri-
pluricausal

Literary usage of Plurality

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Tribune Almanac and Political Register by Horace Greeley (1914)
"11113. see at end of New York City section. Thompson's plurality. 161. Pase numbers in Index. tl. ..."

2. An American Almanac and Treasury of Facts, Statistical, Financial, and by Ainsworth Rand Spofford, American News Company (1889)
"32.277 Rep. plurality.. 3142 Rep plurality.. 2934 9th Dist. ... 2658 Rep. plurality.. 29 llth Dist. Prentiss,DAUL 17580 Neece, Dem. ..."

3. Some Dogmas of Religion by John McTaggart Ellis McTaggart (1906)
"This doctrine of a plurality of future lives and of past lives may be conveniently referred to as the doctrine of plurality of lives.1 90. ..."

4. Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856: From Gales and by United States Congress, Thomas Hart Benton (1857)
"plurality of Offices. On motion of Mr. JOHN RANDOLPH, ... Resolved, That the union of a plurality of offices in the person of a single individual, ..."

5. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General by Thomas Spencer Baynes (1888)
"Hence the theory of the unity of nature is necessarily followed by a theory of its seeming plurality, that is to say, of the variety and mutation of things. ..."

6. Harper's New Monthly Magazine by Henry Mills Alden (1881)
"The majorities and pluralities by States, as fur as known or estimated, are as follows : Republican—Colorado, majority, 3000 ; Connecticut, plurality, ..."

7. The System of the Vedânta: According to Bâdarâyaṇa's Brahma-sûtras and by Paul Deussen (1912)
"7 • (b) The Relation of Unity to plurality. How are we to consider the relation between the unity of the Existent and the manifoldness of its developments? ..."

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