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 THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH number

amount number (see usage note at amount)

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, adjective

Example 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, noun

Word 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
[ nŭmbər ]

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
[ nŭmbər ]

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