manifold
/ˈmænɪfəʊld/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmænɪfəʊld/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈma-nə-ˌfōld/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmæn.ɪ.fəʊld/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmæn.ə.foʊld/ (ame, ipa)
manifold — adjective
- manifoldpositive
- more manifoldcomparative
- most manifoldsuperlative
1. covering a wide range of different forms, types, or aspects — for example, a com
covering a wide range of different forms, types, or aspects — for example, a company with manifold business interests in technology, finance, and agriculture.
The organisation faces manifold challenges, including rising costs, staff shortages, and shifting public expectations.
attributive use: manifold + noun (manifold challenges)
Dr. Okafor's research has manifold applications in medicine, engineering, and environmental science.
manifold + noun (manifold applications)
The benefits of learning a second language are manifold — better career opportunities, improved memory, and deeper cultural understanding.
The Watanabe family has manifold interests, from traditional tea ceremony to modern computer programming.
A healthy diet offers manifold advantages that go far beyond weight management alone.
- numerous
emphasises large number, but not necessarily variety
- diverse
focuses on variety and difference among items
- multifarious
similar register but even more formal; emphasises extreme variety
- various
more common and less formal; suitable for everyday use
文法句型
manifold + noun
be + manifold
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive) or after the verb 'be' in the pattern 'the + noun + are + manifold'. Rarely used in everyday conversation; more common in formal writing, journalism, and academic texts.
常見錯誤
manifold — noun
- manifoldsingular
- manifoldsplural
1. a pipe or chamber in an engine or other machine that has several openings, used
a pipe or chamber in an engine or other machine that has several openings, used to distribute or collect fluids or gases — for instance, an exhaust manifold that channels waste gases out of an engine's cylinders.
The mechanic noticed a crack in the exhaust manifold and recommended replacing it immediately.
exhaust manifold — common compound noun
Air is drawn into the engine through the intake manifold and mixed with fuel before ignition.
intake manifold — common compound noun
A leak in the manifold can cause the engine to run roughly and waste a lot of fuel.
The old truck's manifold had rusted through after years of use in cold, wet weather.
Linh checked the manifold gasket for signs of damage while the engine was still warm.
- pipe fitting
a more general term for any connector between pipes
- header
a type of manifold, especially in high-performance engines (informal/technical)
文法句型
the + manifold
manifold + of + noun
用法筆記
Commonly appears in compound nouns: 'exhaust manifold' and 'intake manifold' are the two most frequent. Used almost exclusively in automotive and mechanical engineering contexts.
2. in advanced mathematics, a space in which every small region around any given po
in advanced mathematics, a space in which every small region around any given point resembles ordinary flat space, even though the overall shape may be curved or highly complex.
A sphere is the simplest example of a two-dimensional manifold.
two-dimensional manifold — dimension specification
The concept of a manifold is essential for understanding Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Dr. Chen published a paper on the geometry of four-dimensional manifolds.
Topologists study how different manifolds can be classified by their shapes and holes.
Every point on a smooth manifold has a neighbourhood that looks like a flat coordinate plane.
文法句型
a + adjective + manifold
manifold + of + dimension
用法筆記
A specialised term in topology and geometry. Not used outside of academic mathematics or theoretical physics contexts. The most common technical subtypes are 'smooth manifold', 'Riemannian manifold', and 'differentiable manifold'.
manifold — adverb
1. to a very great extent or by a large amount; used to emphasise that something ha
to a very great extent or by a large amount; used to emphasise that something has increased or changed significantly.
The town's population has manifold increased since the railway arrived in the 1920s.
manifold + past participle (increased)
The scope of the investigation was manifold widened as new evidence came to light.
manifold + past participle (widened)
The kingdom's trade was manifold enriched by the arrival of merchants from distant lands.
The general's reputation was manifold strengthened by the series of victories in the north.
- slightly
to a small degree
文法句型
manifold + verb (past participle)
用法筆記
This adverb is now considered archaic or highly literary. It is rarely used in modern English except in deliberately formal or historical-style writing. The more common modern equivalent is 'greatly' or 'vastly'.
常見錯誤
manifold — verb
- manifoldpresent simple I / you / we / they
- manifolds3rd person singular
- manifolding-ing form
- manifoldedpast simple
1. to cause something to increase greatly in number, amount, or degree; or to becom
to cause something to increase greatly in number, amount, or degree; or to become multiplied in this way.
The invention of the steam engine manifolded the productive capacity of the entire nation.
transitive: manifolded + noun (the productive capacity)
During the boom years, the town's population manifolded as workers arrived from distant provinces.
intransitive: population manifolded
The expansion of the rail network manifolded the opportunities for trade between the two regions.
After the dam was built, the number of farms in the valley manifolded as irrigation water became available.
- multiply
the standard modern equivalent; used in everyday and formal contexts
- proliferate
suggests rapid and widespread increase, often of something undesirable
- compound
suggests an increase that builds upon itself (e.g., compounded interest)
文法句型
manifold + noun
something + manifolds
用法筆記
This verb is very rare in modern English. In most contexts, 'multiply', 'increase', or 'grow' are used instead. You may encounter it in older literature or in deliberately elevated style.
常見錯誤
2. to produce several or many identical copies of a written document, especially by
to produce several or many identical copies of a written document, especially by using carbon paper or a duplicating machine.
Before photocopiers existed, secretaries would manifold letters by placing carbon paper between sheets.
manifold + noun (letters)
The clerk manifolded the contract so that each party could keep a signed copy.
Carbon paper made it possible to manifold up to five copies of a single page at once.
The school secretary manifolded the exam papers so that every student received one.
文法句型
manifold + noun
用法筆記
This sense is historical. It refers specifically to the era of carbon paper and manual duplicating machines. Today, 'photocopy', 'duplicate', or simply 'copy' are used.