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
Definition for number (2 of 2)
numb
[ nuhm ]
/ nʌm /
adjective, numb·er, numb·est.
deprived of physical sensation or the ability to move: fingers numb with cold.
manifesting or resembling numbness: a numb sensation.
incapable of action or of feeling emotion; enervated; prostrate: numb with grief.
lacking or deficient in emotion or feeling; indifferent: She was numb to their pleas for mercy.
verb (used with object)
to make numb.
Origin of numb
1400–50; late Middle English
nome literally, taken, seized, variant of
nomen, numen, Old English
numen, past participle of
niman to take,
nim1
OTHER WORDS FROM numb
numb·ly, adverb numb·ness, noun half-numb, adjective un·numbed, adjectiveExample sentences from the Web for number
British Dictionary definitions for number (1 of 2)
number
/ (ˈnʌmbə) /
noun
verb (mainly tr)
Word Origin for number
C13: from Old French
nombre, from Latin
numerus
British Dictionary definitions for number (2 of 2)
numb
/ (nʌm) /
adjective
deprived of feeling through cold, shock, etc
unable to move; paralysed
characteristic of or resembling numbness
a numb sensation
verb (tr)
to make numb; deaden, shock, or paralyse
Derived forms of numb
numbly, adverb numbness, nounWord Origin for numb
C15:
nomen, literally: taken (with paralysis), from Old English
niman to take; related to Old Norse
nema, Old High German
niman
Medical definitions for number (1 of 2)
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.
Medical definitions for number (2 of 2)
numb
[ nŭm ]
adj.
Being unable or only partially able to feel sensation or pain; deadened or anesthetized.
Being emotionally unresponsive; indifferent.
v.
To make or become numb.
Scientific definitions for number
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 number
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 number
number