mʌtʃ adj., n., & adv. --adj. 1 existing or occurring in a
great quantity (much
trouble;
not much
rain;
too much noise). 2 (prec. by
as, how,
that, etc.)
with relative rather than distinctive sense (I don't
know how much
money you want). --n. 1 a great quantity (much of that is true). 2 (prec. by as, how, that, etc.) with relative rather than distinctive sense (we do not
need that much). 3 (usu. in neg.) a
noteworthy or
outstanding example (not much to
look at; not much of a party). --adv. 1 a in a great
degree (much to my
surprise; is much
the same). b (qualifying a
verb or
past participle)
greatly (they much
regret the
mistake; I
was much annoyed). ° Much implies a
strong verbal element in the
participle,
whereas very implies a strong adjectival element:
compare the second example
above with I was very annoyed. c qualifying a
comparative or
superlative adjective (much better; much the
most likely). 2
for a
large part of one's
time (is much
away from home). øas much the
extent or quantity
just specified; the
idea just mentioned (I thought as much; as much as that?). a bit much colloq.
somewhat excessive or
immoderate.
make much of see MAKE. much as even
though (cannot
come, much as I
would like to). much
less see LESS. much obliged see
OBLIGE. not much colloq. 1
iron. very much. 2
certainly not. not much in it see
IN. too much colloq. an
intolerable situation etc. (that
really is too much). too much for 1
more than a match for. 2
beyond what is endurable
by. øømuchly adv. joc. [ME f. muchel
MICKLE: for
loss of el
cf.
BAD, WENCH]
