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Relating to, or containing, more than one; designating two or more; as, a plural word. Plural faith, which is too much by one. Shak. Plural number (Gram.), the number which designates more than one. See Number, n., 8.

The quality or state of being plural, or in the plural number.

than one ecclesiastical benefice. [Eng.] Of the parochial clergy, a large proportion were pluralists. Macaulay.

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.

The act of pluralizing. H. Spencer.

To make plural by using the plural termination; to attribute plurality to; to express in the plural form.

A pluralist. [R.]

In a plural manner or sense.

skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; -- in the plural, faculty, talent. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren. Acts xi. 29. Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study. Bacon. The public me…

reshment, or convenience; anything furnished which is desired or needful; -- often in the plural; as, the accomodations -- that is, lodgings and food -- at an inn. Sir W. Scott.

hare in the capital stock of a joint-stock company, or in the public funds; hence, in the plural, equivalent to stocks. [A Gallicism] [Obs.] The Euripus of funds and actions. Burke.

intance, to adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an offer; -- usually in the plural. [He] made the like advances to the dissenters. Swift.

formation or notice given; intelligence; as, late advices from France; -- commonly in the plural.

air to manage; business of any kind, commercial, professional, or public; -- often in the plural. "At the head of affairs." Junius. "A talent for affairs." Prescott.

The inspissated juice of several species of aloe, used as a purgative. [Plural in form but syntactically singular.] American aloe, Century aloe, the agave. See Agave.

A very high mountain. Specifically, in the plural, the highest chain of mountains in Europe, containing the lofty mountains of Switzerland, etc. Nor breath of vernal air from snowy alp. Milton. Hills peep o'er hills, and alps on alps arise. Pope.

A note, added by way of comment, or explanation; -- usually in the plural; as, annotations on ancient authors, or on a word or a passage.

d (as in ne'er for never, can't for can not), and as sign of the possessive, singular and plural; as, a boy's hat, boys' hats. In the latter use it originally marked the omission of the letter e.

An allowance to a person, esp. to a public officer; a perquisite; -- properly only in the plural. [Obs.] An expense proportioned to his appointments and fortune is necessary. Chesterfield.

A secret; a mystery; -- generally used in the plural. Inquiries into the arcana of the Godhead. Warburton.