number

num•ber

[[t]ˈnʌm bər[/t]] n.

1) a mathematical unit used to express an amount, quantity, etc., usu. having precise relations with other such units:

Six is an even number[/ex]

2) math. a numeral or group of numerals

3) use the sum, total, or aggregate of a collection of units:

the number of people with reserved seats[/ex]

4) math. the particular numeral assigned to an object to designate its place in a series:

a house number; a license number[/ex]

5) one of a series of things distinguished by or marked with numerals

6) a certain collection or quantity not precisely reckoned, but considerable:

a number of times[/ex]

7) a collection or company

8) numbers

a) a considerable quantity; many:

Numbers came to the parade[/ex]

b) pro numerical strength or superiority

c) metrical feet; verse

d) gam

numbers pool 1)

e) inf Informal. the figures representing the actual cost, expense, profit, etc

f) arithmetic

9) mad a tune or arrangement for singing or dancing

10) mad a distinct performance within a show, as a song or dance

11) pri jou a single issue of a periodical

12) cvb tgp a code of numerals, letters, or a combination of these, as that assigned to a particular telephone

13) gram. Gram. a category of inflection or other variation in the form of a word serving to indicate whether the word has one or more than one referent, as in the distinction between singular and plural and, in some languages, dual or trial

14) cvb inf Informal. person; individual:

a cute number[/ex]

15) inf Informal. an article of merchandise, esp. of wearing apparel, offered for sale

16) to mark with or distinguish by numbers

17) to amount to or comprise in number; total

18) to consider or include in a number:

I number myself among his friends[/ex]

19) to count over one by one; enumerate; tell

20) to fix the number of

21) to ascertain the amount or quantity of; count

22) to apportion or divide

23) to make a total; reach an amount

24) to count

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- by the numbers do a number on without number

Etymology: 1250–1300; (n.) ME nombre < OF < L numerus; (v.) ME nombren < OF nombrer < L numerāre (der. of numerus) num′ber•a•ble, adj. num′ber•er, n. usage: See amount, collective noun .