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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 following sets of mathematical objects: integers, rational numbers, real numbers, and complex numbers. These sets can be derived from the positive integers through various algebraic and analytic constructions. 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. 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 number—protesting 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 or mark with a number: Did you number the pages of the report? 2. To determine the number or amount of; count: Tickets sold for the show were numbered at 500. 3. To total in number or amount; add up to: The ships in the harbor number around 100. 4. To include in a group or category: He was numbered among the lost. 5. To limit or restrict in number: Our days are numbered. v.intr. Idioms: 1. To call off numbers; count: numbering to ten. 2. To have as a total; amount to a number: The applicants numbered in the thousands. 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. [Middle English nombre, from Old French, from Latin numerus; see nem- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] 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 increasing. It takes a plural verb when preceded by the indefinite article a: A number of the workers have learned new skills. |
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