Anonymous  +  207834 Mon, 20 Mar 06 12:43 PM Hi according to the dictionary 'many' means the majority but is that correct? many say that it doesn't mean the majority because of a biblical reference “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Anonymous

	pieanne  +  207863 Mon, 20 Mar 06 03:38 PM "Many" means "a large number of". It means a larger number than "some", "several" or "a few". For example, if you say: 1. Many people came to his funeral 2. A few people came to his funeral In 1., you are appreciative of the number of people who showed up, whereas in 2. the number of people is much smaller, and maybe disappointing. If you say "many people at the party wore a mask", then "many" could mean "more than 50% of the people", hence the sense of "majority". In the biblical reference, less than 50% of the people are chosen, so many could also mean "the majority". pieanne Joined on Thu, Jan 20 2005 South of France ...But I'm Belgian! Veteran Member 7,517 I'm glad to help, but I'm not a native! And please excuse my typos...

	davkett  +  207867 Mon, 20 Mar 06 03:48 PM I don't know what dictionary you are using, but this would be the common definition:  "consisting of or amounting to a large but indefinite number ". Majority means more than half of the total number.  Terms like large number are relative, though.  Context counts.  For instance, thirty-two billion dollars is many dollars if they are in your checking account, but it's not a lot of money when compared to the current deficit (in the trillions) created during the Bush presidency. EDIT:  Oops.  I was writing at the same time, Pieanne. davkett Joined on Tue, Jun 7 2005 Pennsylvania, USA Senior Member 2,788 "The rose stays fresh in its name..." -Bernard of Morlay

	pieanne  +  207871 Mon, 20 Mar 06 04:12 PM Oh, it's OK, Davkett! I tried to conciliate "many" with "the majority", but it's a bit hard! pieanne