Numbers

num·ber  (nmbr)

n.

1. Mathematics

a. 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.

b. A member of any of the further sets of mathematical objects, such as negative integers and real numbers.

2. numbers Arithmetic.

3.

a. A symbol or word used to represent a number.

b. A numeral or a series of numerals used for reference or identification: his telephone number; the apartment number.

4.

a. 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.

b. One item in a group or series considered to be in numerical order: an old number of a magazine.

5. A total; a sum: the number of feet in a mile.

6. An indefinite quantity of units or individuals: The crowd was small in number. A number of people complained.

7. numbers

a. A large quantity; a multitude: Numbers of people visited the fair.

b. Numerical superiority: The South had leaders, the North numbers.

8. Grammar The indication, as by inflection, of the singularity, duality, or plurality of a linguistic form.

9. numbers

a. Metrical feet or lines; verses: "These numbers will I tear, and write in prose" Shakespeare.

b. Obsolete Poetic meter.

10. numbers Archaic Musical periods or measures.

11. numbers (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Games A numbers game.

12. Numbers (used with a sing. verb) Abbr. Num. or Nb See Table at Bible.

13. One of the separate offerings in a program of music or other entertainment: The band's second number was a march.

14. Slang A frequently repeated, characteristic speech, argument, or performance: suspects doing their usual numberprotesting innocence.

15. Slang A person or thing singled out for a particular characteristic: a crafty number.

v. num·bered, num·ber·ing, num·bers

v.tr.

1. To assign a number to.

2. To determine the number or amount of; count.

3. To total in number or amount; add up to.

4. To include in a group or category: He was numbered among the lost.

5. To mention one by one; enumerate.

6. To limit or restrict in number: Our days are numbered.

v.intr.

1. To call off numbers; count: numbering to ten.

2. To constitute a group or number: The applicants numbered in the thousands.

Idioms:

by the numbers

1. In unison as numbers are called out by a leader: performing calisthenics by the numbers.

2. In a strict, step-by-step or mechanical way.

do a number on Slang

To defeat, abuse, or humiliate in a calculated and thorough way.

get/have (someone's) number

To determine or know someone's real character or motives.

without/beyond number

Too many to be counted; countless: mosquitoes without number.

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[Middle English nombre, from Old French, from Latin numerus; see nem- in Indo-European roots.]

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number·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.

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Numbers

See also mathematics.

abacist

a skilied user of the abacus.

acalculia

Psychiatry. an inability to work with figures; a mental block concerning calculation.

arithmancy

a form of divination involving numbers. Also called arithmomancy.

arithmomania

1. an obsession with numbers.
2. a compulsion to count things.

hebdomadism

a belief that the number seven is sacred, as in ancient Baby-Ion.

numerology

a system of occultism based upon numbers. — numerologist, n. — numerological, adj.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	Numbers - the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt Book of Numbers Old Testament - the collection of books comprising the sacred scripture of the Hebrews and recording their history as the chosen people; the first half of the Christian Bible Laws, Pentateuch, Torah - the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
	2.	numbers - an illegal daily lottery numbers game, numbers pool, numbers racket lottery, drawing - players buy (or are given) chances and prizes are distributed by casting lots