different between muchness vs manyness

English

Etymology

From Middle English muchelnesse, michelnesse (“greatness, magnitude”), from Old English mi?elnes, my?elnes (“greatness, size, mass, quantity, multitude, abundance, magnificence, great deed”), equivalent to much +? -ness. Cognate with Old High German michilnessi (“greatness, magnitude”). Compare also mickleness.

Noun

muchness (countable and uncountable, plural muchnesses)

1. Large size or bulk; bigness; size; magnitude (large or small).
2. Greatness in quantity, number, amount, or degree.

   much of a muchness

Quotations

Three examples from The Diary of Samuel Pepys, all using the phrase the muchness of the business:

• 1666: the muchness of his business cannot suffer him to mind it, or give him leisure to reflect on anything — Entry 15 Aug 1666
• 1667/68: This troubled me so much as, together with the shortness of the time and muchness of the business, did let me be at it till but about ten at night — Entry 4 March 1667/68
• 1668/69: my head a little troubled with the muchness of the business I have upon me at present — Entry 27 March 1668/69

English

Etymology

many +? -ness

Noun

manyness (uncountable)

1. The quality or state of being many.

Synonyms

• multiplicity, numerousness; see also Thesaurus:manyness

Antonyms

• fewness, oneness, singleness; see also Thesaurus:fewness

See also

• cardinality
• muchness