(LOT)
A quantity; a large number. A familiar expression common to England and America, but not in the dictionaries. Thus we hear it said, 'There was a lot of people at the mass-meeting to-day;' 'We shall have lots of folks at our house to-night," etc.
I showed my trunk to Patrick and then went and got into the omnibus, what took me, with a whole lot of other passengers, to the Charleston Hotel.--Maj. Jones's Travels.
My wife at home will warm us up
Some broth of well picked bones for sup;
There's lots of welcome in my house, &c.--Reynard the Fox, p. 46.