number
[ nuhm-ber ]
/ ˈnʌm bər /
noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
Idioms for number
Origin of number
1250–1300; 1940–45
for def 23; (noun) Middle English, variant of
nombre < Old French < Latin
numerus; (v.) Middle English
nombren < Old French
nombrer < Latin
numerāre (derivative of
numerus)
SYNONYMS FOR number
2
Number,
sum both imply the total of two or more units.
Number applies to the result of a count or estimate in which the units are considered as individuals; it is used of groups of persons or things:
to have a number of items on the agenda.
Sum applies to the result of addition, in which only the total is considered:
a large sum of money.
20 copy, edition.
usage note for number
2. As a collective noun,
number, when preceded by
a, is most often treated as a plural:
A number of legislators have voiced their dissent. When preceded by
the, it is usually used as a singular:
The number of legislators present was small. See also
amount,
collective noun.
OTHER WORDS FROM number
Words nearby number
British Dictionary definitions for by the numbers
number
/ (ˈnʌmbə) /
noun
verb (mainly tr)
Word Origin for number
C13: from Old French
nombre, from Latin
numerus
Medical definitions for by the numbers
number
[ nŭm′bər ]
n.
A symbol expressive of a certain value or of a specific quantity determined by count.
The place of any unit in a series.
Scientific definitions for by the numbers
number
[ nŭm′bər ]
A member of the set of positive integers. Each number is one of a series of unique symbols, each of which has exactly one predecessor except the first symbol in the series (1), and none of which are the predecessor of more than one number.
A member of any of the further sets of mathematical objects defined in terms of such numbers, such as negative integers, real numbers, and complex numbers.
Cultural definitions for by the numbers
number
The grammatical category that classifies a noun, pronoun, or verb as singular or plural. Woman, it, and is are singular; women, they, and are are plural.
Idioms and Phrases with by the numbers (1 of 2)
by the numbers
In a strict sequence, step-by-step; also, mechanically. For example, The only way to assemble this computer is to do it by the numbers, or Writing a novel is not something one can do by the numbers. This expression has nothing to do with actual numerical figures (like by the dozen) but uses numbers in the sense of a strict order or sequence.
Idioms and Phrases with by the numbers (2 of 2)
number