crowd

I

[[t]kraʊd[/t]]

n.

1) a large number of persons gathered together; throng

2) any group of persons having something in common:

the theater crowd[/ex]

3) a group of spectators; audience:

the opening night crowd[/ex]

4) the common people; the masses

5) a large number of things considered together

6) to gather in large numbers; throng

7) to press forward; advance by pushing

8) to press closely together; force into a small space; cram

9) to push, shove, or force

10) to fill, as by pressing or thronging into

11) to place under constant pressure

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Etymology: bef. 950; ME; OE crūden to press, hurry, c. MD crūden to push crowd′er, n. syn: crowd, multitude, swarm, throng refer to large numbers of people. crowd suggests a jostling, uncomfortable, and possibly disorderly company: A crowd gathered to listen to the speech. multitude emphasizes the great number of persons or things but suggests that there is space enough for all: a multitude of people at the market. swarm as used of people is usu. contemptuous, suggesting a moving, restless, often noisy, crowd: A swarm of dirty children played in the street. throng suggests a company that presses together or forward, often with some common aim: The throng pushed forward to see the cause of the excitement. usage: See collective noun II

crowd

[[t]kraʊd[/t]] also crwth n.

mad an ancient Celtic musical instrument with the strings stretched over a rectangular frame, played with a bow

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Etymology: 1275–1325; ME crowd(e), var. of crouth < Welsh crwth crwth