multiple vs plural

multiple

adj
  • More than one (followed by plural). 

  • Having more than one element, part, component, or function, having more than one instance, occurring more than once, usually contrary to expectations (can be followed by a singular). 

noun
  • A whole number that can be divided by another number with no remainder. 

  • One of a set of the same thing; a duplicate. 

  • A single individual who has multiple personalities. 

  • One of a set of siblings produced by a multiple birth. 

  • A discovery resulting from the work of many people throughout history, not merely the work of the person who makes the final connection. 

  • Price-earnings ratio. 

  • A chain store. 

  • More than one piercing in a single ear. 

plural

adj
  • Pluralistic. 

  • Consisting of or containing more than one of something. 

  • In systems of number, not singular or not singular or dual. 

noun
  • A person with some form of multiplicity, particularly dissociative identity disorder. 

  • The plural number. In English, referring to more or less than one of something. 

  • A word in the form in which it potentially refers to something other than one person or thing; and other than two things if the language has a dual form. 

How often have the words multiple and plural occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )