number
Cross references:
1. sum
1. num.ber \'n*m-b*r\ n [ME nombre, fr. OF, fr. L numerus - more at NIMBLE]
1a1: a sum of units : TOTAL 1a2: COMPLEMENT 1a3: an indefinite usu. large
total pl 1a4: a numerous group : MANY; also : a numerical prepondera nce
1b1: the characteristic of an individual by which it is treated as a unit o
r of a collection by which it is treated in terms of a determinate unit of
units 1b2: a unit belonging to an abstract mathematical system and subject
to spe cified laws of succession, addition, and multiplication; also : an
element (as p) of any of many mathematical systems obtained by extension of
or analogy with the natural number system pl 1b3: ARITHMETIC 2: a
distinction of word form to denote reference to one or more than one; also
: a form or forms so distinguished pl 3a1: metrical structure : METER
3a2: metrical lines : VERSES archaic 3b: musical sounds : NOTES 4a: a
word, symbol, letter, or combination of symbols representing a number ;
specif : NUMERAL 4b: a numeral or combination of numerals or other symbols
used to identify or designate 4c1: a member of a sequence or collection
designated by esp. consecutive nu mbers; also : an individual singled out
from a group 4c2: a position in a numbered sequence 5: insight into a
person's ability or character {had his ~} pl but sing or pl in constr 6a:
a form of lottery in which bets are placed on numbers regularly publish ed
in newspapers for other purposes 6b: POLICY 1: in unison to a specific
count or cadence 2: in a systematic, routine, or mechanical manner - by
the numbers
2. number \'n*m-b(*-)rin\ \'n*m-b(*-)r*-b*l\ \-b*r-*r\ vb or num.ber.ing 1:
COUNT, ENUMERATE 2: to claim as part of a total : INCLUDE 3: to restrict
to a definite number 4: to assign a number to 5: to comprise in number :
TOTAL 1: to comprise a total number 2: to call off numbers in sequence -
num.ber.able aj
Webster's English Dictionary