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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary num·ber
\\ˈnəm-bər\\ noun ETYMOLOGY Middle English nombre, from Anglo-French, from Latin numerus DATE 14th century 1. a. (1) a sum of units : total (2) complement 1b (3) an indefinite usually large total a number of members were absent the number of elderly is rising (4)plural : a numerous group : many (5) a numerical preponderance b. (1) the characteristic of an individual by which it is treated as a unit or of a collection by which it is treated in terms of units (2) an ascertainable total bugs beyond number c. (1) a unit belonging to an abstract mathematical system and subject to specified laws of succession, addition, and multiplication; especially : natural number (2) an element (as π) of any of many mathematical systems obtained by extension of or analogy with the natural number system (3)plural : arithmetic 2. a distinction of word form to denote reference to one or more than one; also : a form or group of forms so distinguished 3. plural a. (1) metrical structure : meter (2) metrical lines : verses b. archaic : musical sounds : notes 4. a. a word, symbol, letter, or combination of symbols representing a number b. a numeral or combination of numerals or other symbols used to identify or designate dialed the wrong number c. (1) a member of a sequence or collection designated by especially consecutive numbers (as an issue of a periodical) (2) a position in a numbered sequence d. a group of one kind not of their number 5. one singled out from a group : individual : as a. girl , woman met an attractive number at the dance b. (1) a musical, theatrical, or literary selection or production (2) routine , act c. stunt , trick d. an act of transforming or impairing tripped and did a number on her knee e. an item of merchandise and especially clothing 6. insight into a person's ability or character had my number 7. plural but singular or plural in construction a. a form of lottery in which an individual wagers on the appearance of a certain combination of digits (as in regularly published numbers) — called also numbers game b. policy II,2a8. plural a. figures representing amounts of money usually in dollars spent, earned, or involved b. (1) statistics 2; especially : individual statistics (as of an athlete) (2) rating 3c9. a person represented by a number or considered without regard to individuality at the university I was just a number 10. lifetime 1a — used with up the old feeling that comes to men in combat…that your numberwas up — Geoffrey Norman Usage: see amount • • • - by the numbers
verb (num·bered ; num·ber·ing \\-b(ə-)riŋ\\) DATE 14th century transitive verb 1. count , enumerate 2. to claim as part of a total : include 3. to restrict to a definite number your days are numbered 4. to assign a number to number the pages 5. to amount to in number : total the crew numbers 100 intransitive verb 1. to reach a total number 2. to call off numbers in sequence • num·ber·able \\-b(ə-)rə-bəl\\ adjective • num·ber·er \\-bər-ər\\ noun English Etymology number c.1300, "sum, aggregate of a collection," from Anglo-Fr.noumbre, from O.Fr . nombre, from L. numerus "a number, quantity," from PIE base *nem- "to divide, distribute, allot" (related to Gk. nemein "to deal out;" see nemesis). Meaning "symbol or figure of arithmatic value" is from c.1391. The meaning "musical selection" is from vaudeville theater programs, where acts were marked by a number. The verb meaning "to count" is from c.1300. Number one "oneself" is from 1704 (mock-It. form numero unoattested from 1973); the biblical Book of Numbers (c.1400, L.Numeri, Gk. Arithmoi) so called because it begins with a census of the Israelites. No., "abbreviation for 'number,' " is from It.numero. Slang number one and number two for "urinate" and "defecate" attested from 1902. Number cruncher is 1966, of machines; 1971, of persons. To get or have (someone's) number"have someone figured out" is attested from 1853. The numbers"illegal lottery" is from 1897, Amer.Eng.http://O.Fr Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ number num·ber / 5nQmbE(r) / nounWORD / SYMBOL 单词；符号 1. [C] a word or symbol that represents an amount or a quantity 数字；数；数量 SYN figure :
Think of a number and multiply it by two. 想出一个数,然后乘以二。 a high / low number 高位/低位数 even numbers (= 2, 4, 6, etc.) 偶数 odd numbers (= 1, 3, 5, etc.) 奇数 You owe me 27 dollars? Make it 30, that's a good round number. 你欠我 27 元？凑到 30 吧,讨个整数好记。 ⇨ see also cardinal number n. (2), ordinal , prime number , whole number POSITION IN SERIES 序列中的位置 2. [C] (abbr. No.) (symb #) used before a figure to show the position of sth in a series 编号；序数: They live at number 26. 他们住在 26 号。 The song reached number 5 in the charts. 这首歌在排行榜中位列第 5。 TELEPHONE, ETC. 电话等 3. [C] (often in compounds 常构成复合词) a number used to identify sth or communicate by telephone, fax , etc. (电话、传真等的)号码: My phone number is 266998. 我的电话号码是 266998。 I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong number (= wrong telephone number). 对不起,我想你打错了。 What is your account number, please? 请问你的账号是多少？ ⇨ see also box number , E-number , PIN , registration number, serial number QUANTITY 量 4. [C] ~ (of sb / sth) a quantity of people or things 数量；数额: A large number of people have applied for the job. 许多人申请了这工作。 The number of homeless people has increased dramatically. 无家可归者的人数急剧增加了。 Huge numbers of (= very many) animals have died. 有大量的动物死去。 A number of (= some) problems have arisen. 已经出现了一些问题。 I could give you any number of (= a lot of) reasons for not going. 我可以给你许多不去的理由。 We were eight in number (= there were eight of us). 我们有八个人。 Nurses are leaving the profession in increasing numbers. 越来越多的护士退出这一职业。 Sheer weight of numbers (= the large number of soldiers) secured them the victory. 他们只是靠重兵取胜。 staff / student numbers 员工/学生数量 HELP A plural verb is needed after a / an (large, small, etc.) number of... 在 a / an (large、small 等) number of … 之后用复数动词。 GROUP OF PEOPLE 人群 5. [sing.] (formal) a group or quantity of people 一群人；许多人: one of our number (= one of us) 我们中的一人 The prime minister is elected by MPs from among their number. 首相是下院议员从他们当中选出的。 MAGAZINE 杂志 6. [C] (BrE) the version of a magazine, etc. published on a particular day, in a particular month, etc. 期；号 SYN issue :
the October number of 'Vogue' 《时尚》十月号 ⇨ see also back number SONG / DANCE 歌；舞蹈 7. [C] a song or dance, especially one of several in a performance 一首歌,一段舞蹈(尤指演出的节目): They sang a slow romantic number. 他们演唱了一首缓慢的浪漫歌曲。 THING ADMIRED 令人羡慕的东西 8. [sing.] (informal) (following one or more adjectives 接在一个或多个形容词后) a thing, such as a dress or a car, that is admired 令人羡慕的东西: She was wearing a black velvet number. 她穿着一件时髦的黑天鹅绒礼服。 GRAMMAR 语法 9. [U] the form of a word, showing whether one or more than one person or thing is being talked about 数(表示所敍述的人或事物是一个或多个): The word 'men' is plural in number. men 一词是复数形式。 The subject of a sentence and its verb must agree in number. 句子的主语和动词的数必须一致。 IDIOMS ▪ by 'numbers following a set of simple instructions identified by numbers 按数字指令: painting by numbers 按数字顺序着色 ▪ by the 'numbers (NAmE) following closely the accepted rules for doing sth 循规蹈矩；一板一眼 ▪ have (got) sb's 'number (informal) to know what sb is really like and what they plan to do 了解某人的底细；对某人知根知底: He thinks he can fool me but I've got his number. 他以为他能糊弄我,但我清楚他的真面目。 ▪ your 'number is up (informal) the time has come when you will die or lose everything 劫数已到；死期已至 ▪ 'numbers game a way of considering an activity, etc. that is concerned only with the number of people doing sth, things achieved, etc., not with who or what they are 数字游戏(即只注重参与的人数、事情的几项结果等,而不考虑参与者是谁、结果是什么): MPs were playing the numbers game as the crucial vote drew closer. 在至关重要的表决临近时,下院议员们玩起了数字游戏。 ⇨ more at cushy , opposite adj., safety , weight n. verbMAKE A SERIES 排序 1. to give a number to sth as part of a series or list 标号；给…编号: ▪ [VN] All the seats in the stadium are numbered. 运动场里所有的座位都编了号。 Number the car's features from 1 to 10 according to importance. 将车的特征从 1 到 10 编号按重要性一一列出。 ▪ [V] I couldn't work out the numbering system for the hotel rooms. 我搞不清楚酒店房间的编号系统。 ▪ [also VN-N] MAKE STH AS TOTAL 总计 2. [V-N] to make a particular number when added together 总计；共计；数以…计 SYN add up to sth :
The crowd numbered more than a thousand. 聚集的人群共计一千多人。 We numbered 20 (= there were 20 of us in the group). 我们总共 20 人。 INCLUDE 包括 3. ~ (sb / sth) among sth (formal) to include sb / sth in a particular group; to be included in a particular group 把…算作；(被)归入: ▪ [VN] I number her among my closest friends. 我把她算作我最好的朋友之一。 ▪ [V] He numbers among the best classical actors in Britain. 他被看作是英国最好的古典剧目演员之一。 ⇨ more at day Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English number verb ADV. clearly | consecutively, sequentially PREP. according to, by Each pigeon hole is clearly numbered by floor and by room. | from, to Number the car's features from 1 to 10 according to importance. OLT number noun ⇨ number 1 (a large number of people)⇨ number 2 (He lives at number 12.)⇨ figure (Think of a number and multilpy it by two.)⇨ song (a slow romantic number)⇨ your opposite number ⇨ equivalent number verb ⇨ be (The crowd numbered several thousand.)⇨ include 2 (I number her among my closest friends.) Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged number I. num·ber \ˈnəmbə(r)\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English noumbre, nombre, from Old French nombre, from Latin numerus — more at nimble 1. a. : an arithmetical total : sum of the units involved : aggregate < number of desks in the room > < number of people in the hall > < owing to the number of prior applications, he shortly withdrew — J.C.Archer > b. : an ascertainable total : the possibility of numbering < the sands of the seashore are beyond number > < times without number > c. : an allotted total : complement < the whole number of Senators — U.S. Constitution > d. : a total of units of a particular kind < an enormous number of languages — J.B.Carroll > < there is a limited number of such laboratories — P.D.Close > < the city is … continuing to draw increasing numbers of visitors — H.W.H.King > < archery clubs have been established … and their number is growing rapidly — American Guide Series: Minnesota > e. : an unspecified total : several < a number of solutions have been proposed — S.H.Hofstadter > < the … concern occupies a number of brick buildings — American Guide Series: New Hampshire > < collection which he has exhibited a number of times — Mary Zimmer > especially : quite a few < a number of instances > 2. a. : a select company < I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in — When the Saints Go Marching In > b. obsolete (1) : a designated class : category < a mineral … of the number of bitumens — A.Cooper > (2) : a specified group of people < this happy number that have endured shrewd days and nights with us — Shakespeare > (3) : a numerous group : multitude ; specifically : proletariat < the number may be hanged, but not be crowned — Alexander Pope > 3. : the enumerative aspect of things existing in countable units < a weak sense of time and number — G.T.Trewartha & Wilbur Zelinsky > 4. a. : an abstract unit in a numerical series < seven is his lucky number > < a number divisible by two > b. numbers plural : the art of computation : arithmetic < teach children their numbers > < from simple numbers to the calculus — British Book News > 5. a. : distinction of word form to denote reference to one or to more than one or in some languages also to two usually expressed by an inflectional change; also : the distinctive form itself (as of noun, adjective, or verb) or one of the groups of forms so distinguished— compare plural , singular b. (1) obsolete : tuneful cadence : rhythm < in full harmonic number joined — John Milton > (2) numbers plural, archaic : musical sounds : notes < holy numbers which thou warblest — W.M.Praed > c. numbers plural (1) : symmetry of cadence : period < melodic numbers of the classic orators > (2) : metrical structure : meter < most by numbers judge a poet's song — Alexander Pope > (3) : metrical lines : verses < these numbers will I tear, and write in prose — Shakespeare > 6. a. : a written word, symbol, or group of symbols representing a number < spell out numbers under three digits — Kate L. Turabian > specifically : numeral < the code employs letters as well as numbers > b. : a numerical label or designation: as (1) : a digit or group of digits used as a means of identification < house number > < catalog number > < stamped a number on each ball — Millen Brand > specifically : license plate < the victim remembered the number of the getaway car > — symbol \# < apartment \#32 > (2) : an allotted position in a numerical sequence < take number two position in column — Wirt Williams > specifically : relative position on a promotion roster < for the grounding of his ship … he was reduced ten numbers— Allan Westcott > (3) : an individual identified by position in a sequence or by a numerical label < opened fire on number three — Oxford Book of English Talk > < tackled on the line of scrimmage by number 22 > < to the keeper I was just a new number, another dirty blanket to issue — Gilbert Millstein > — compare opposite number (4) : the specified position of an article in a series with respect to established criteria (as of size or quality) < number nine shoe > < number one manila > < a number two can of tomatoes > — compare : count II 8a (5) : a telephone number < dialed a number on the interoffice telephone — Hamilton Basso > (6) : a numerical value obtained as the result of a chemical test and used in characterizing the substance tested < the iodine number of a fatty oil > 7. : a large supply : quantity , swarm < squaretails in number — Stewart Holbrook > — usually used in plural < numbers of this shark sometimes attack shoals of sardines — J.L.B.Smith > < individuals of great wealth will certainly not exist in any numbers in another decade or so — Persuasion > < numbers of beauties major and minor — F.R.Leavis > 8. numbers plural a. : a numerous group : many < numbers died on the way — Marjory S. Douglas > b. : a numerical preponderance < there is safety in numbers > c. : units of population < their numbers outstrip their resources — Barbara Ward > < the graduate school doubled its numbers — C.F.Smith > 9. a. : a single issue of a periodical < a year's subscription brings you 12 numbers > < his article will appear in the February number > b. : one that is singled out from a group: as (1) : one of a company of people : person < two … stokers as ammunition numbers — The Crowsnest > especially : girl < a cute number in a yellow dress — R.L.Strout > < a blondined number … draped in silver fox — Margaret Long > (2) : a musical, theatrical, or literary selection or production < a catchy little number in waltz time — A.E.Stevenson †1965 > < contains perhaps half a dozen numbers that are among the best things he ever wrote — Robert Collet > < novel … was going to turn out to be one of those amnesia numbers — E.J.Fitzgerald > < supported this cheery little number for just fifteen performances — Deems Taylor > < the tango number late in Act I — Theatre Arts > (3) : an item of merchandise offered for sale < put that black velvet number with the sequins on the blonde dummy — Bennett Cerf > < the new nylon number which he calls an armored vest — New Yorker > < costs a lot of money to bring out any new toy number — Marketing Toys > < a more modestly priced blanket is an all-wool number — Hamilton Basso > 10. : information about or insight into a person's ability or character < the other side had his number and was riding him — Mary Deasy > < she was incapable of subterfuge and it didn't take him long to get her number > 11. numbers plural but singular or plural in construction a. : a form of lottery played in the United States in which one may select any three digits from 001 to 999 and bet on them to appear in a specified order or in any combination and in which the winning numbers and order are determined by figures regularly published in newspapers (as clearinghouse or stock market receipts, pari-mutuel payoffs, or the cards in an article on contract bridge) — called also number pool, numbers game b. : policy 2aSynonyms: number , numeral , figure , digit , and integer can mean in common a character by which an arithmetical value is designated. number may refer to a character or to a word < the number forty-five > < the number 45 > or to a character with an affix < the ordinal numbers 2d, 3d, and 4th > numeral applies to the characters as numbers as distinguished from the words standing for the same numbers < a license plate with both letters and the numerals 13249 > < the Roman numerals V, VI, and XLII > figure stresses the characters as characters, usually arabic < write the numbers in figures wherever possible to save space > < his salary went into five figures > digit refers expressly to one of the characters in Arabic notation < if you include 0, Arabic numerals consist of 10 digits, though some authorities exclude 0 as a digit > integer , in this connection, is an arithmetical term for a whole number, one that is not or does not contain a fraction < 11 1/2 is not an integer > Synonym: see in addition sum .• - any number - by the number - have one's number on it II. number verb (numbered ; numbered ; numbering \-b(ə)riŋ\ ; numbers) Etymology: Middle English noumbren, nombren, from Old French nombrer, from Latin numerare, from numerus number transitive verb 1. a. : to ascertain the number of : count < numbers his friends by the hundreds > b. archaic : to determine by mathematical processes : compute < was desirous of accurately numbering the interval of time from one … festival to another — Thomas Taylor > c. obsolete : to gauge the amount of : estimate < poets cannot think, speak, cast, write, sing, number … his love — Shakespeare > 2. : to claim as part of a total : include < it is only by accident that I am numbered among American philosophers — George Santayana > < writers resident in Texas numbered none of note whose literary work was not incidental — American Guide Series: Texas > < prudence … is numbered with the cardinal virtues — H.O.Taylor > 3. : to restrict to a limited or definite number < doctors told him his days were numbered — H.E.Starr > 4. : to assign a number to especially as a means of identification < number the pages of a book > < stay on numbered highways > < we use letters to number the rows of seats in an assembly room — D.E.Smith > < five thousand dollars of the stolen money was in numbered bills — E.S.Gardner > 5. archaic a. : to report the number of : enumerate < the quantities of … furnitures following so royal an army, what pen can number — Robert Johnson > — often used with up < you numbered up the acts of trust — R.H.Hutton > b. : to check over one by one : tell < let my brother number his beads devoutly — Philip Massinger > c. : apportion , divide < days of this life's pilgrimage … to number wisely — J.W.Warter > < my … fellows I numbered into two companies — William Morris > 6. archaic : to experience the passage of (an interval of time) < I since then have numbered o'er some thrice three years — Alfred Tennyson > especially : to reach or have (a specified age) in years < of as able body as when he numbered thirty — Shakespeare > 7. : to comprise in number : total < they were a miscellaneous lot … numbering in all some 20 or 30 — R.W.Southern > < his extensive collection … numbering many thousand specimens — Witmer Stone > intransitive verb 1. : to reach a total : count < controls … literally number in the thousands — Harold Koontz & Cyril O'Donnell > 2. : to call off numbers in sequence < neng, song, sam, she numbered in Siamese — Kathryn Grondahl > especially : to call off one's number as a member of a squad or group < men fall in in single rank and number from the right in fours — Fire Service Drill Book > — often used with off < lined up and numbered off > Synonyms: see count III. numb·er \ˈnəmə(r)\ comparative of numb IV. number noun 1. a. : routine : act b. : stunt : trick c. : an act of transforming or impairing < tripped and did a number on her knee > 2. plural a. : figures representing amounts of money usually in dollars spent, earned, or involved b. (1) : statistics 2 ; especially : individual statistics (as of an athlete) (2) : rating 3 |
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