number

pronunciation

How to pronounce number in British English: UK [ˈnʌmbə(r)] word uk audio image

How to pronounce number in American English: US [ˈnʌmbər] word us audio image

Noun:

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
a concept of quantity derived from zero and units
a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program
a numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification
the number is used in calling a particular telephone
a symbol used to represent a number
one of a series published periodically
a select company of people
the grammatical category for the forms of nouns and pronouns and verbs that are used depending on the number of entities involved (singular or dual or plural)
an item of merchandise offered for sale
a clothing measurement
Verb:

add up in number or quantity
give numbers to
enumerate
put into a group
determine the number or amount of
place a limit on the number of

Word Origin

number: number: [13] The etymological notion underlying the word number is probably ‘distribution’. Its ultimate source, Latin numerus, may have been related to Greek némein ‘deal out, distribute’ (source of English nemesis and related to nomad). Numerus passed into Old French as nombre (subsequently borrowed by German as nummer), and English acquired it via Anglo-Norman numbre. Derivatives of Latin numerus to have reached English include enumerate [17], numeral [16], numerate [20], numerical [17], and numerous [16].=> enumerate, numerous

number (n.): c. 1300, "sum, aggregate of a collection," from Anglo-French noumbre, Old French nombre and directly from Latin numerus "a number, quantity," from PIE root *nem- "to divide, distribute, allot" (related to Greek nemein "to deal out;" see nemesis). Meaning "symbol or figure of arithmetic value" is from late 14c. Meaning "single (numbered) issue of a magazine" is from 1795. Meaning "dialing combination to reach a particular telephone receiver" is from 1879; hence wrong number (1886). The modern meaning "musical selection" (1885) is from vaudeville theater programs, where acts were marked by a number. Earlier numbers meant "Harmony; proportion calculated by number," and "Verses, poetry" [Johnson]. Number one "oneself" is from 1704 (mock-Italian form numero uno attested from 1973); the biblical Book of Numbers (c. 1400, Latin Numeri, Greek Arithmoi) so called because it begins with a census of the Israelites. Slang number one and number two for "urination" and "defecation" 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, American English.

number (v.): c. 1300, "to count," from Old French nombrer "to count, reckon," from nombre (n.) "number" (see number (n.)). Meaning "to assign a number to" is late 14c.; that of "to ascertain the number of" is from early 15c. Related: Numbered; numbering.