much adjective [comparative or superlative wanting, but supplied by More (mōr), and Most (mōst), from another root.] [OE. moche, muche, miche, prob. the same as mochel, muchel, michel, mikel, fr. AS. micel, mycel; cf. Gr. μέγας, fem. μεγάλη, great, and Icel. mjök, adv., much. √103. See Mickle.]

1. Great in quantity; long in duration; as, much rain has fallen; much time.

Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in. Deut. xxviii. 38.

2. Many in number. [Archaic]

Edom came out against him with much people. Num. xx. 20.

3. High in rank or position. [Obs.] Chaucer. Muchnoun

1. A great quantity; a great deal; also, an indefinite quantity; as, you have as much as I.1. Great in quantity; long in duration; as, much rain has fallen; much time.

He that gathered much had nothing over. Ex. xvi. 18.

☞ Much in this sense can be regarded as an adjective qualifying a word unexpressed, and may, therefore, be modified by as, so, too, very.

2. A thing uncommon, wonderful, or noticeable; something considerable.

And [he] thought not much to clothe his enemies. Milton.

To make much of

to treat as something of especial value or worth.

Much adverb [Cf. Icel. mjök. See Much, adjective] To a great degree or extent; greatly; abundantly; far; nearly.

“Much suffering heroes.” Pope.

Thou art much mightier than we. Gen. xxvi. 16.

Excellent speech becometh not a fool, much less do lying lips a prince. Prov. xvii. 7.

Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong
Life much. Milton.

All left the world much as they found it. Sir W. Temple.