ˈnʌmbə n. & v. --n. 1 a an arithmetical
value representing a
particular quantity and used in counting and
making calculations. b a
word,
symbol, or
figure representing
this; a
numeral. c an arithmetical value
showing position in a
series esp.
for identification,
reference, etc. (registration number). 2 (often foll. by of)
the total count or
aggregate (the number of accidents
has decreased;
twenty in number). 3 a the
study of the
behaviour of numbers;
numerical reckoning (the laws of number). b (in pl.)
arithmetic (not
good at numbers). 4 a (in
sing. or pl.) a quantity or
amount; a total; a count (a
large number of
people;
only in
small numbers). b (in pl.) numerical preponderance (force of numbers;
there is
safety in numbers). 5 a a
person or
thing having a
place in a series, esp. a
single issue of a
magazine, an
item in a
programme, etc. b a
song,
dance,
musical item, etc. 6
company,
collection,
group (among
our number). 7 Gram. a the classification of words by
their singular or
plural forms. b a particular
such form. 8 colloq. a person or thing regarded familiarly or affectionately (usu. qualified in
some way: an
attractive little number). 9 (Numbers) the
Old Testament book containing a
census. --v.tr. 1
include (I number
you among my friends). 2
assign a number or numbers
to. 3
have or amount to (a specified number). 4 a count. b include. øby numbers
following simple instructions (as if) identified by numbers. 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. have a person's number on it (of a
bomb,
bullet, etc.) be destined to
hit a specified person. number cruncher Computing &
Math. sl. a
machine capable of
complex calculations etc. number crunching the
act or process of making
these calculations. one's number is up colloq. one is finished or doomed to die. a number of some,
several. °Use
with a plural
verb is
now standard: a number of problems
remain. number one n. colloq.
oneself (always takes
care of number one). --adj.
most important (the number one priority). number-plate a
plate on a
vehicle displaying
its registration number. numbers game 1 usu. derog.
action involving only arithmetical
work. 2 US a
lottery based on the
occurrence of
unpredictable numbers in the results of races etc. Number
Ten 10 Downing
Street, the
official London
home of the
British Prime
Minister. number
two a second in
command.
without number
innumerable. [ME f. OF nombre (n.), nombrer (v.) f. L numerus, numerare]