The noun has 2 meanings:
Meaning #1:
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
Synonyms: batch, deal, flock, good deal, great deal, heap, lot, mass, mess, mickle, mint, muckle, peck, pile, plenty, pot, quite a little, raft, sight, slew, spate, stack, tidy sum, wad, whole lot, whole slew
Meaning #2:
as many or as much as a hat will hold
