Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Multiplication \Mul`ti*pli*ca"tion\, n. [L. multiplicatio: cf.
   F. multiplication. See {Multiply}.]
   1. The act or process of multiplying, or of increasing in
      number; the state of being multiplied; as, the
      multiplication of the human species by natural generation.

            The increase and multiplication of the world.
                                                  --Thackeray.

   2. (Math.) The process of repeating, or adding to itself, any
      given number or quantity a certain number of times;
      commonly, the process of ascertaining by a briefer
      computation the result of such repeated additions; also,
      the rule by which the operation is performed; -- the
      reverse of division.

   Note: The word multiplication is sometimes used in
         mathematics, particularly in multiple algebra, to
         denote any distributive operation expressed by one
         symbol upon any quantity or any thing expressed by
         another symbol. Corresponding extensions of meaning are
         given to the words multiply, multiplier, multiplicand,
         and product. Thus, since [phi](x + y) = [phi]x + [phi]y
         (see under {Distributive}), where [phi](x + y), [phi]x,
         and [phi]y indicate the results of any distributive
         operation represented by the symbol [phi] upon x + y,
         x, and y, severally, then because of many very useful
         analogies [phi](x + y) is called the product of [phi]
         and x + y, and the operation indicated by [phi] is
         called multiplication. Cf. {Facient}, n., 2.

   3. (Bot.) An increase above the normal number of parts,
      especially of petals; augmentation.

   4. The art of increasing gold or silver by magic, --
      attributed formerly to the alchemists. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

   {Multiplication table}, a table giving the product of a set
      of numbers multiplied in some regular way; commonly, a
      table giving the products of the first ten or twelve
      numbers multiplied successively by 1, 2, 3, etc., up to 10
      or 12.

Source : WordNet®

multiplication
     n 1: an arithmetic operation that is the inverse of division; the
          product of two numbers is computed; "the multiplication
          of four by three gives twelve"; "four times three equals
          twelve" [syn: {times}]
     2: the act of producing offspring or multiplying by such
        production [syn: {generation}, {propagation}]
     3: a multiplicative increase; "repeated copying leads to a
        multiplication of errors"; "this multiplication of cells
        is a natural correlate of growth"