An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

To make many or manifold; increase the number, quantity, etc., of.
Arithmetic: To find the product of by multiplication.

Etymology (EN): O.Fr. multiplier, from L. multiplicare “to increase,” from multiplex (gen. multiplicis) “having many folds, many times as great in number,” from multi- “many” + base of plicare “to lay, fold, twist.”

Etymology (PE): Bastâyidan, from bastâ, → multiple,

• -idan infinitive suffix.