Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MA-NY, a. [men'ny; Sax. mæneg, maneg, or menig; D. menig; G. mancher; Dan. mange; Sw. månge; Sax. menigeo, a multitude; Goth. manags, many; managei, a multitude; Russ. mnogei, many; mnoju, to multiply. It has no variation to express degrees of comparison; more and most, which are used for the comparative and superlative degrees, are from a different root.]

1. Numerous; comprising a great number of individuals. Thou shalt be a father of many nations. Gen. xvii. Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 1 Cor. i. Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Ps. xxxiv. It is often preceded by as or so, and followed by so, indicating an equal number. As many books as you take, so many shall be charged to your account. So many laws argue so many sins. Milton. It is also followed by as. As many as were willing-hearted brought bracelets. Exod. xxxiv. It precedes an or a before a noun in the singular number. Full many a gem of purest ray serene. Gray.
2. In low language, preceded by too, it denotes powerful or much; as, they are too many for us. L'Estrange.