Heap (hēp), n. [OE. heep, heap, heap, multitude, AS. heáp; akin to OS. hōp, D. hoop, OHG. houf, hūfo, G. haufe, haufen, Sw. hop, Dan. hob, Icel. hōpr troop, flock, Russ. kupa heap, crowd, Lith. kaupas. Cf. Hope, in Forlorn hope.] 1. A crowd; a throng; a multitude or great number of persons.
The wisdom of a heap of learned men. Chaucer.
A heap of vassals and slaves. Bacon.
He had heaps of friends. W. Black.
2. A great number or large quantity of things not placed in a pile.
A vast heap, both of places of scripture and quotations. Bp. Burnet.
I have noticed a heap of things in my life. R. L. Stevenson.
3. A pile or mass; a collection of things laid in a body, or thrown together so as to form an elevation; as, a heap of earth or stones.
Huge heaps of slain around the body rise. Dryden.