Pluralism
(Plu"ral*ism) n.
1. The quality or state of being plural, or in the plural number.
2. (Eccl.) The state of a pluralist; the holding of more than one ecclesiastical living at a time. [Eng.]
Pluralist
(Plu"ral*ist), n. (Eccl.) A clerk or clergyman who holds more than one ecclesiastical benefice.
[Eng.]
Of the parochial clergy, a large proportion were pluralists.
Macaulay. Plurality
(Plu*ral"i*ty) n.; pl. pluralities [L. pluralitas: cf. F. pluralité.]
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. (Eccl.) See Plurality of benefices, below.
Plurality of benefices (Eccl.), the possession by one clergyman of more than one benefice or living.
Each benefice thus held is called a plurality. [Eng.]
Pluralization
(Plu`ral*i*za"tion) n. The act of pluralizing. H. Spencer.
Pluralize
(Plu"ral*ize) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pluralized ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pluralizing ]
1. To make plural by using the plural termination; to attribute plurality to; to express in the plural form.
2. To multiply; to make manifold. [R.]
Pluralize
(Plu"ral*ize), v. i.
1. To take a plural; to assume a plural form; as, a noun pluralizes. Earle.
2. (Eccl.) To hold more than one benefice at the same time. [Eng.]
Pluralizer
(Plu"ral*i`zer) n. (Eccl.) A pluralist. [R.]
Plurally
(Plu"ral*ly), adv. In a plural manner or sense.
Pluri-
(Plu"ri-) [See Plus.] A combining form from L. plus, pluris, more, many; as pluriliteral.
Pluries
(||Plu"ri*es) n. [So called from L. pluries many times, often, which occurs in the first clause.]
(Law) A writ issued in the third place, after two former writs have been disregarded. Mozley & W.
Plurifarious
(Plu`ri*fa"ri*ous) a. [L. plurifarius, fr. L. plus, pluris, many. Cf. Bifarious.] Of many
kinds or fashions; multifarious.
Plurifoliolate
(Plu`ri*fo"li*o*late) a. [Pluri- + foliolate.] (Bot.) Having several or many leaflets.
