Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - multitude

~ n 1 a multitude of formal or literary a very large number of people or things  (The captain sat before a multitude of dials and levers. | a multitude of possible interpretations) 2 the multitude a) ordinary people, especially when they are thought of as not being very well educated  (Political power has been placed in the hands of the multitude.) b) literary or biblical a large crowd of people 3 cover/hide a multitude of sins especially humorous to make faults or problems seem less clear or noticeable