the sum, total, count, or aggregate of a collection of units, or the like: A number of people were hurt in the accident. The number of homeless children in the city has risen alarmingly.
3.
a word or symbol, or a combination of words or symbols, used in counting or in noting a total.
4.
the particular numeral assigned to an object so as to designate its place in a series: house number; license number.
5.
one of a series of things distinguished by or marked with numerals.
6.
a certain collection, company, or quantity not precisely reckoned, but usually considerable or large: I've gone there a number of times.
7.
the full count of a collection or company.
8.
a collection or company.
9.
a quantity of individuals: Their number was more than 20,000.
10.
numbers,
a.
a considerable amount or quantity; many: Numbers flocked to the city to see the parade.
quantity as composed of units: to increase the number of eligible voters.
12.
numerical strength or superiority; complement: The garrison is not up to its full number.
13.
a tune or arrangement for singing or dancing.
14.
a single or distinct performance within a show, as a song or dance: The comic routine followed the dance number.
15.
a single part of a program made up of a group of similar parts: For her third number she played a nocturne.
16.
any of a collection of poems or songs.
17.
a distinct part of an extended musical work or one in a sequence of compositions.
18.
conformity in music or verse to regular beat or measure; rhythm.
19.
a single part of a book published in a series of parts.
20.
a single issue of a periodical: several numbers of a popular magazine.
21.
a code of numerals, letters, or a combination of these assigned to a particular telephone: Did you call the right number?
22.
Grammar. a category of noun, verb, or adjective inflection found in many languages, as English, Latin, and Arabic, used to indicate whether a word has one or more than one referent. There may be a two-way distinction in number, as between singular and plural, three-way, as between singular, dual, and plural, or more.
23.
Informal. person; individual: the attractive number standing at the bar.
24.
Informal. an article of merchandise, esp. of wearing apparel, offered for sale: Put those leather numbers in the display window.
25.
mathematics regarded as a science, a basic concept, and a mode of thought: Number is the basis of science.
–verb (used with object)
26.
to mark with or distinguish by numbers: Number each of the definitions.
27.
to amount to or comprise in number; total: The manuscript already numbers 425 pages.
28.
to consider or include in a number: I number myself among his friends.
29.
to count over one by one; tell: to number one's blessings.
30.
to mention individually or one by one; enumerate: They numbered the highlights of their trip at length.
31.
to set or fix the number of; limit in number; make few in number: The sick old man's days are numbered.
32.
to live or have lived (a number of years).
33.
to ascertain the number of; count.
34.
to apportion or divide: The players were numbered into two teams.
–verb (used without object)
35.
to make a total; reach an amount: Casualties numbered in the thousands.
36.
to be numbered or included (usually fol. by among or with): Several eminent scientists number among his friends.
37.
to count.
—Idioms
38.
by the numbers,
a.
according to standard procedure, rules, customs, etc.; orthodoxly; by the book: We're going to run things here by the numbers.
b.
together or in unison to a called-out count: calisthenics by the numbers.
39.
do a number on, Slang.
a.
to undermine, defeat, humiliate, or criticize thoroughly: The committee really did a number on the mayor's proposal.
b.
to discuss or discourse about, esp. in an entertaining way: She could do a number on anything from dentistry to the Bomb.
40.
do one's number,
a.
to give a performance; perform: It's time for you to get on stage and do your number.
b.
Slang. to behave in a predictable or customary manner: Whenever I call, he does his number about being too busy to talk.
41.
get or have someone's number, Informal. to become informed about someone's real motives, character, intentions, etc.: He was only interested in her fortune, but she got his number fast.
42.
have one's number on it, Slang. to be thought of as the instrument of fate in the death of a person: That bullet had his number on it.
43.
one's number is (was, will be) up, Slang.
a.
one is (was, will be) in serious trouble.
b.
one is (was, will be) on the point of death: Convinced that her number was up anyway, she refused to see doctors.
44.
without number, of unknown or countless number; vast: stars without number.
[Origin: 1250–1300; 1940–45 for def. 23; (n.) ME, var. of nombre < OF < L numerus; (v.) ME nombren < OF nombrer < L numerāre (deriv. of numerus)]
—Related forms
num·ber·a·ble, adjective
num·ber·er, noun
—Synonyms 1. digit, figure. 2.Number,sum both imply the total of two or more units. Number applies to the result of a count or estimate in which the units are considered as individuals; it is used of groups of persons or things: to have a number of items on the agenda. Sum applies to the result of addition, in which only the total is considered: a large sum of money. 20. copy, edition.
—Usage note 2. As a collective noun, number, when preceded by a, is most often treated as a plural: A number of legislators have voiced their dissent. When preceded by the, it is usually used as a singular: The number of legislators present was small. See also amount, collective noun.
Deprived of the power to feel or move normally; benumbed: toes numb with cold; too numb with fear to cry out.
Emotionally unresponsive; indifferent: numb to yet another appeal.
tr. & intr.v.
numbed, numb·ing, numbs
To make or become numb.
[Middle English nome, variant of nomin, past participle of nimen, to seize, from Old English niman; see nem- in Indo-European roots.]
numb'ly adv., numb'ness n.
Word History: Old English had a number of strong verbs (often loosely called "irregular" verbs) that did not survive into Modern English. One such was the verb niman, "to take," later replaced by take, a borrowing from Old Norse. The verb had a past tense nam and a past participle numen; if the verb had survived, it would likely have become nim, nam, num, like swim, swam, swum. Although we do not have the verb as such anymore, its past participle is alive and well, now spelled numb, literally "taken, seized," as by cold or grief. (The older spelling without the b is still seen in the compound numskull.) The verb also lives on indirectly in the word nimble, which used to mean "quick to take," and then later "light, quick on one's feet."
A member of the set of positive integers; one of a series of symbols of unique meaning in a fixed order that can be derived by counting.
A member of any of the further sets of mathematical objects, such as negative integers and real numbers.
A symbol or word used to represent a number.
A numeral or a series of numerals used for reference or identification: his telephone number; the apartment number.
A position in an ordered sequence that corresponds to one of the positive integers: the house that is number three from the corner; ranked number six in her class.
One item in a group or series considered to be in numerical order: an old number of a magazine.
A large quantity; a multitude: Numbers of people visited the fair.
Numerical superiority: The South had leaders, the North numbers.
Metrical feet or lines; verses: "These numbers will I tear, and write in prose"(Shakespeare).
Obsolete Poetic meter.
numbers Arithmetic.
A symbol or word used to represent a number.
A numeral or a series of numerals used for reference or identification: his telephone number; the apartment number.
A position in an ordered sequence that corresponds to one of the positive integers: the house that is number three from the corner; ranked number six in her class.
One item in a group or series considered to be in numerical order: an old number of a magazine.
A large quantity; a multitude: Numbers of people visited the fair.
Numerical superiority: The South had leaders, the North numbers.
Metrical feet or lines; verses: "These numbers will I tear, and write in prose"(Shakespeare).
Obsolete Poetic meter.
A position in an ordered sequence that corresponds to one of the positive integers: the house that is number three from the corner; ranked number six in her class.
One item in a group or series considered to be in numerical order: an old number of a magazine.
A large quantity; a multitude: Numbers of people visited the fair.
Numerical superiority: The South had leaders, the North numbers.
Metrical feet or lines; verses: "These numbers will I tear, and write in prose"(Shakespeare).
Obsolete Poetic meter.
A total; a sum: the number of feet in a mile.
An indefinite quantity of units or individuals: The crowd was small in number. A number of people complained.
numbers
A large quantity; a multitude: Numbers of people visited the fair.
Numerical superiority: The South had leaders, the North numbers.
Metrical feet or lines; verses: "These numbers will I tear, and write in prose"(Shakespeare).
Obsolete Poetic meter.
Grammar The indication, as by inflection, of the singularity, duality, or plurality of a linguistic form.
numbers
Metrical feet or lines; verses: "These numbers will I tear, and write in prose"(Shakespeare).
Obsolete Poetic meter.
numbersArchaic Musical periods or measures.
numbers(used with a sing. or pl. verb)Games A numbers game.
Numbers(used with a sing. verb) Abbr. Num. or Nb See Table at Bible.
One of the separate offerings in a program of music or other entertainment: The band's second number was a march.
Slang A frequently repeated, characteristic speech, argument, or performance: suspects doing their usual number—protesting innocence.
Slang A person or thing singled out for a particular characteristic: a crafty number.
v.
num·bered, num·ber·ing, num·bers
v.
tr.
To assign a number to.
To determine the number or amount of; count.
To total in number or amount; add up to.
To include in a group or category: He was numbered among the lost.
To mention one by one; enumerate.
To limit or restrict in number: Our days are numbered.
v.
intr.
To call off numbers; count: numbering to ten.
To constitute a group or number: The applicants numbered in the thousands.
[Middle English nombre, from Old French, from Latin numerus; see nem- in Indo-European roots.]
num'ber·er n.
Usage Note: As a collective noun number may take either a singular or a plural verb. It takes a singular verb when it is preceded by the definite article the:The number of skilled workers is small. It takes a plural verb when preceded by the indefinite article a:A number of the workers are unskilled.
1297, "sum, aggregate of a collection," from Anglo-Fr. noumbre, from O.Fr. nombre, from L. numerus "a number, quantity," from PIE base *nem- "to divide, distribute, allot" (related to Gk. nemein "to deal out;" see nemesis). Meaning "symbol or figure of arithmatic value" is from c.1391. The meaning "musical selection" is from vaudeville theater programs, where acts were marked by a number. The verb meaning "to count" is from 1297. Number one "oneself" is from 1704 (mock-It. form numero uno attested from 1973); the biblical Book of Numbers (c.1400, L. Numeri, Gk. Arithmoi) so called because it begins with a census of the Israelites. No., "abbreviation for 'number,' " is from It. numero. Slang number one and number two for "urinate" and "defecate" attested from 1902. Number cruncher is 1966, of machines; 1971, of persons. To get or have (someone's) number "have someone figured out" is attested from 1853. The numbers "illegal lottery" is from 1897, Amer.Eng.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals; "he had a number of chores to do"; "the number of parameters is small"; "the figure was about a thousand"
2.
a concept of quantity involving zero and units; "every number has a unique position in the sequence"
3.
a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program; "he did his act three times every evening"; "she had a catchy little routine"; "it was one of the best numbers he ever did" [syn: act]
4.
the number is used in calling a particular telephone; "he has an unlisted number" [syn: phone number]
5.
a symbol used to represent a number; "he learned to write the numerals before he went to school" [syn: numeral]
6.
one of a series published periodically; "she found an old issue of the magazine in her dentist's waiting room" [syn: issue]
7.
a select company of people; "I hope to become one of their number before I die"
8.
a numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification; "she refused to give them her Social Security number"
9.
a clothing measurement; "a number 13 shoe"
10.
the grammatical category for the forms of nouns and pronouns and verbs that are used depending on the number of entities involved (singular or dual or plural); "in English the subject and the verb must agree in number"
11.
an item of merchandise offered for sale; "she preferred the black nylon number"; "this sweater is an all-wool number"
verb
1.
add up in number or quantity; "The bills amounted to $2,000"; "The bill came to $2,000" [syn: total]
2.
give numbers to; "You should number the pages of the thesis"
3.
enumerate; "We must number the names of the great mathematicians"
4.
put into a group; "The academy counts several Nobel Prize winners among its members" [syn: count]
5.
determine the number or amount of; "Can you count the books on your shelf?"; "Count your change" [syn: count]
(sometimes abbreviated tono — pluralnos — when written in front of a figure) a word or figure showing eg how many of something there are, or the position of something in a series etc Example: Seven was often considered a magic number; Answer nos 1—10 of exercise 2.
Arabic:
رَقْم
Chinese (Simplified):
数， 数字
Chinese (Traditional):
數， 數字
Czech:
číslo
Danish:
nummer; tal
Dutch:
nummer
Estonian:
number
Finnish:
numero
French:
nombre; numéro
German:
die Nummer
Greek:
αριθμός
Hungarian:
szám
Icelandic:
tala, tölustafur
Indonesian:
nomor
Italian:
numero
Japanese:
数
Korean:
수, 숫자
Latvian:
skaitlis; numurs
Lithuanian:
skaičius, skaitmuo, numeris
Norwegian:
tall
Polish:
liczba, numer
Portuguese (Brazil):
número
Portuguese (Portugal):
número
Romanian:
număr
Russian:
число; (порядковый) номер
Slovak:
číslo
Slovenian:
število; številka
Spanish:
número
Swedish:
nummer, tal
Turkish:
numara, sayı, rakam
number2[ˈnambə]noun
a (large) quantity or group (of people or things) Example: He has a number of records; There were a large number of people in the room.
Arabic:
عَدَد، مَجْموعَه
Chinese (Simplified):
数目
Chinese (Traditional):
數目
Czech:
množství
Danish:
antal
Dutch:
aantal
Estonian:
palju, hulk
Finnish:
joukko, määrä
French:
un grand nombre de
German:
die (An)Zahl
Greek:
πλήθος, ποσότητα
Hungarian:
sok
Icelandic:
fjöldi
Indonesian:
jumlah
Italian:
grande numero*
Japanese:
多数
Korean:
다수
Latvian:
(liels) skaits
Lithuanian:
(didelis) kiekis, skaičius
Norwegian:
(stort) antall, mengde
Polish:
(znaczna) ilość
Portuguese (Brazil):
grande número
Portuguese (Portugal):
quantidade
Romanian:
mulţime (de)
Russian:
(большое) число; количество
Slovak:
množstvo
Slovenian:
število
Spanish:
gran número de, grupo
Swedish:
antal
Turkish:
(çok) sayı, *adet, *miktar
number3[ˈnambə]noun
one issue of a magazine Example: the autumn number
Arabic:
عَدَد من جَريدَه
Chinese (Simplified):
期，号
Chinese (Traditional):
期，號
Czech:
číslo
Danish:
nummer; -nummer
Dutch:
nummer
Estonian:
number
Finnish:
numero
French:
numéro
German:
die Ausgabe
Greek:
τεύχος
Hungarian:
szám (folyóiraté)
Icelandic:
eintak, tölublað
Indonesian:
nomor
Italian:
numero
Japanese:
号
Korean:
(잡지 등의) 호
Latvian:
numurs, izlaidums
Lithuanian:
numeris
Norwegian:
nummer, hefte
Polish:
numer
Portuguese (Brazil):
número
Portuguese (Portugal):
número
Romanian:
număr
Russian:
номер, выпуск
Slovak:
číslo
Slovenian:
številka
Spanish:
número
Swedish:
nummer
Turkish:
sayı, nüsha
number4[ˈnambə]noun
a popular song or piece of music Example: He sang his most popular number.
Arabic:
أغْنِيَه شائِعَه
Chinese (Simplified):
调子
Chinese (Traditional):
調子
Czech:
číslo
Danish:
nummer
Estonian:
pala
Finnish:
kappale
French:
numéro
German:
der Schlager
Greek:
τραγούδι, μουσικό κομμάτι
Hungarian:
szám
Icelandic:
lag
Indonesian:
nomor
Italian:
brano, pezzo
Japanese:
曲
Korean:
한 곡목
Latvian:
(programmas) numurs
Lithuanian:
numeris
Norwegian:
slager, sangnummer
Polish:
numer
Portuguese (Brazil):
número
Portuguese (Portugal):
número
Romanian:
cântec
Russian:
номер программы
Slovak:
číslo
Slovenian:
popevka
Spanish:
tema
Swedish:
nummer
Turkish:
sevilen parça
number1[ˈnambə]verb
to put a number on Example: He numbered the pages in the top corner.
Arabic:
يُرَقِّم، يَضَع أرْقاما
Chinese (Simplified):
编号码
Chinese (Traditional):
編號碼
Czech:
očíslovat
Danish:
nummerere
Dutch:
nummeren
Estonian:
nummerdama
Finnish:
numeroida
French:
numéroter
German:
numerieren
Greek:
αριθμώ
Hungarian:
megszámoz
Icelandic:
tölusetja, númera
Indonesian:
menomori
Italian:
numerare
Japanese:
番号をつける
Korean:
…에 번호를 매기다
Latvian:
numurēt
Lithuanian:
(su)numeruoti
Norwegian:
nummerere, paginere
Polish:
ponumerować
Portuguese (Brazil):
numerar
Portuguese (Portugal):
numerar
Romanian:
a numerota
Russian:
нумеровать
Slovak:
očíslovať
Slovenian:
oštevilčiti
Spanish:
numerar
Swedish:
numrera
Turkish:
numaralamak, numara vermek
number2[ˈnambə]verb
to include Example: He numbered her among his closest friends.
Arabic:
يَشْمَل
Chinese (Simplified):
算作
Chinese (Traditional):
算作
Czech:
(za)počítat
Danish:
tælle
Dutch:
rekenen
Estonian:
arvama
Finnish:
lukea kuuluvaksi
French:
compter
German:
zählen
Greek:
περιλαμβάνω, συγκαταλέγω
Hungarian:
(be)sorol, számít
Icelandic:
telja til
Indonesian:
memasukkan
Italian:
includere, annoverare
Japanese:
～に数える
Korean:
포함되다
Latvian:
pieskaitīt
Lithuanian:
priskirti, laikyti
Norwegian:
regne, telle
Polish:
zaliczać
Portuguese (Brazil):
contar
Portuguese (Portugal):
incluir
Romanian:
a număra
Russian:
причислять
Slovak:
počítať
Slovenian:
prištevati med
Spanish:
contar
Swedish:
räkna bland
Turkish:
dahil etmek, arasında saymak, katmak
number3[ˈnambə]verb
to come to in total Example: The group numbered ten.
A member of the set of positive integers. Each number is one of a series of unique symbols, each of which has exactly one predecessor except the first symbol in the series (1), and none of which are the predecessor of more than one number.
A member of any of the further sets of mathematical objects defined in terms of such numbers, such as negative integers, real numbers, and complex numbers.
The grammatical category that classifies a noun, pronoun, or verb as singular or plural. Woman, it, and is are singular; women, they, and are are plural.
E*nu"mer*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Enumerated; p. pr. & vb. n. Enumerating.] [L. enumeratus, p. p. of enumerare to count out, enumerate; e out + numerare to count, fr. numerus number. See Number.] To count; to tell by numbers; to count over, or tell off one after another; to number; to reckon up; to mention one by one; to name over; to make a special and separate account of; to recount; as, to enumerate the stars in a constellation. Enumerating the services he had done. --Ludlow. Syn: To reckon; compute; calculate; count; estimate; relate; rehearse; recapitulate; detail.
Nom"ad\, n. [L. nomas, -adis, Gr. ?, ?, pasturing, roaming without fixed home, fr. ? a pasture, allotted abode, fr. ? to distribute, allot, drive to pasture; prob. akin to AS. niman to take, and E. nimble: cf. F. nomade. Cf. Astronomy, Economy, Nimble, Nemesis, Numb, Number.] One of a race or tribe that has no fixed location, but wanders from place to place in search of pasture or game.
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