Definitions for the word "number" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. n.
That which admits of being counted or reckoned; a unit, or an aggregate of units; a numerable aggregate or collection of individuals; an assemblage made up of distinct things expressible by figures.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. n.
A collection of many individuals; a numerous assemblage; a multitude; many.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. n.
A numeral; a word or character denoting a number; as, to put a number on a door.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. n.
Numerousness; multitude.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. n.
The state or quality of being numerable or countable.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. n.
Quantity, regarded as made up of an aggregate of separate things.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. n.
That which is regulated by count; poetic measure, as divisions of time or number of syllables; hence, poetry, verse; -- chiefly used in the plural.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. n.
The distinction of objects, as one, or more than one (in some languages, as one, or two, or more than two), expressed (usually) by a difference in the form of a word; thus, the singular number and the plural number are the names of the forms of a word indicating the objects denoted or referred to by the word as one, or as more than one.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. n.
The measure of the relation between quantities or things of the same kind; that abstract species of quantity which is capable of being expressed by figures; numerical value.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. n.
To count; to reckon; to ascertain the units of; to enumerate.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. n.
To reckon as one of a collection or multitude.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. n.
To give or apply a number or numbers to; to assign the place of in a series by order of number; to designate the place of by a number or numeral; as, to number the houses in a street, or the apartments in a building.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. n.
To amount; to equal in number; to contain; to consist of; as, the army numbers fifty thousand.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. n.
1 a arithmetical value representing a particular quantity. B word, symbol, or figure representing this. C arithmetical value showing position in a series (registration number). 2 (often foll. By of) total count or aggregate (the number of accidents has decreased). 3 numerical reckoning (the laws of number). 4 a (in sing. Or pl.) Quantity, amount (a large number of people; only in small numbers). B (a number of) several (of). C (in pl.) Numerical preponderance (force of numbers). 5 person or thing having a place in a series, esp. A single issue of a magazine, an item in a programme, etc. 6 company, collection, group (among our number). 7 gram. A classification of words by their singular or plural forms. B such a form. v. 1 include (i number you among my friends). 2 assign a number or numbers to. 3 amount to (a specified number). 4 count. one''s days are numbered one does not have long to live. Have a person''s number colloq. Understand a person''s real motives, character, etc. One''s number is up colloq. One is doomed to die soon. Without number innumerable. [latin numerus]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
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This page provides a list of definitions and meanings for "number" from various historical English dictionaries. By displaying multiple definitions, you can compare and
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