What is the meaning of their saying: "More than one scholar among the people of knowledge..."?

The phrase "غير واحد من أهل العلم" (more than one scholar) is frequently repeated in the books of scholars, ancient and modern. It signifies that the opinion is attributed to more than one scholar, meaning to a group of them. Examples of this include: tayammum (dry ablution) for the face and hands, and wiping over socks and sandals.