Definition of "many"

Thou shalt be a father of many nations.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Genesis 17:4

I did it in a moment of conceit and folly—one of my many such moments—one of my many such hours—years.

1864–65, Charles Dickens, chapter 15, in Our Mutual Friend

The big houses, and there are a good many of them, lie for the most part in what may be called by courtesy the valleys. You catch a glimpse of them sometimes at a little distance from the [railway] line, which seems to have shown some ingenuity in avoiding them, […].

1909, Archibald Marshall [pseudonym; Arthur Hammond Marshall], chapter III, in The Squire’s Daughter, New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead and Company, published 1919

Investors face a quandary. Cash offers a return of virtually zero in many developed countries; government-bond yields may have risen in recent weeks but they are still unattractive. Equities have suffered two big bear markets since 2000 and are wobbling again. It is hardly surprising that pension funds, insurers and endowments are searching for new sources of return.

2013 July 6, “The rise of smart beta”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8843, page 68

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us...

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Luke 1:1

By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect.

1922, Ben Travers, chapter 4, in A Cuckoo in the Nest

I know that my mother cried a many of times from decisions I made.

2005, Florence Dyer, A Mother's Cry!: Touches the Very Heart of God, page 22

Let’s take these fears about a rich, strong China to their logical extreme. The U.S. and Chinese governments are always disagreeing—about trade, foreign policy, the environment. Someday the disagreement could be severe. Taiwan, Tibet, North Korea, Iran—the possibilities are many, though Taiwan always heads the list.

2008 January/February, James Fallows, “The $1.4 Trillion Question”, in The Atlantic Monthly‎