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Number

//ˈnʌmbər// adj, noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Adjective

1
comparative form of numb: more numb comparative, form-of

Noun

1
Quantity.
"Any number of people can be reading from a given repository at a time."
2
Something that numbs.
3
an item of clothing wordnet
4
An abstract entity used to describe quantity. countable
"Zero, one, −1, 2.5, and pi are all numbers."
5
a clothing measurement wordnet

Show 25 more definitions

6
A numeral: a symbol for a non-negative integer. countable
"The number 8 is usually made with a single stroke."
7
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals wordnet
8
An element of one of several sets: natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers, complex numbers, and sometimes extensions such as hypercomplex numbers, etc. countable
"The equation e#123;i#92;pi#125;#43;1#61;0 includes the most important numbers: 1, 0, #92;pi, i, and e."
9
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) wordnet
10
Indicating the position of something in a list or sequence. Abbreviations: No or No., no or no. (in each case, sometimes written with a superscript "o", like Nº or №). The symbol "#" is also used in this manner. attributive
"Horse number 5 won the race."
11
a numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification and may be attached to accounts, memberships, etc. wordnet
12
A sequence of digits and letters used to register people, automobiles, and various other items.
"Her passport number is C01X864TN."
13
the number is used in calling a particular telephone wordnet
14
A telephone number. countable, informal
"Let's give her a call. Do you have her number handy?"
15
one of a series published periodically wordnet
16
Of a word or phrase, the state of being singular, dual or plural, shown by inflection.
"Adjectives and nouns should agree in gender, number, and case."
17
a numbered item in a series wordnet
18
Poetic metres; verses, rhymes. archaic, in-plural
"Griefe brought to numbers cannot be ſo fierce, / For, he tames it, that fetters it in verſe."
19
a symbol used to represent a number wordnet
20
A performance; especially, a single song or song and dance routine within a larger show. countable
"For his second number, he sang "The Moon Shines Bright"."
21
a short performance that is part of a longer program wordnet
22
A group of people. formal, singular, singular-only
"I include myself in their number."
23
a select company of people wordnet
24
A person. countable, informal
"I laughed. "Don't doubt that. She's a saucy little number.""
25
a concept of quantity involving zero and units wordnet
26
An outfit, particularly a stylish one. countable, informal
"The trouble was I was wearing my backless glittering number from the night before underneath, so unless I could persuade the office it was National Fancy Dress Day I was doomed to sweat profusely in bottle blue."
27
A marijuana cigarette, or joint; also, a quantity of marijuana bought from a dealer. US, slang
"These were the two that Tommy had chosen to collect a debt owed to his family by a dude named Heath who ran numbers out of a grocery store on 131st and Lenox."
28
An issue of a periodical publication. dated
"the latest number of a magazine"
29
A large amount, in contrast to a smaller amount; numerical preponderance.
"Despite last week's woes, the Braves still sport numbers that would make Christie Brinkley blush."
30
An activity; assignment; job, as in cushy number.

Verb

1
To total or count; to amount to. intransitive
"I don’t know how many books are in the library, but they must number in the thousands."
2
place a limit on the number of wordnet
3
To limit to a certain number; to reckon (as by fate) to be few in number. transitive
"The old man knew that his days were numbered."
4
enumerate wordnet
5
To count; to determine the quantity of. archaic, literary, transitive
"The king ordered that all his subjects be numbered."

Show 9 more definitions

6
determine the number or amount of wordnet
7
To label (items) with numbers; to assign numbers to (items). transitive
"Number the baskets so that we can find them easily."
8
give numbers to wordnet
9
To call out and assign a series of numbers (usually to people), either for the sake of dividing into groups or for counting. transitive
"Shelley numbered off the group into two teams for the baseball game."
10
add up in number or quantity wordnet
11
To enumerate or list, especially while assigning numbers to. transitive
"I numbered them off on my fingers as I stated them. “First, I would redeem a small amount of my investment assets to pay off the cleared lot and come up with a down payment for the ten acres. Second, I would seek to obtain an open[…]"
12
put into a group wordnet
13
To classify or include (in a group of things) transitive, usually
"Alexander the Great's army numbered an elite cavalry among its ranks."
14
To be classified or included (in a certain group or category of things). intransitive, usually
"Her horses number among the fastest in her country."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English number, nombre, numbre, noumbre, from Anglo-Norman noumbre, Old French nombre, from Latin numerus (“number”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *nem- (“to divide”). Compare Saterland Frisian Nummer, Nuumer, West Frisian nûmer, Dutch nummer (“number”), German Nummer (“number”), Danish nummer (“number”), Swedish nummer (“number”), Icelandic númer (“number”). Replaced Middle English ȝetæl and rime, more at tell, tale and rhyme.

Etymology 2

Etymology 3

From numb (adjective) + -er.

Etymology 4

Equivalent to numb (verb) + -er

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