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| num·ber [ númbər ] |
noun (plural num·bers) |
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| Definition: |
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1. figure used in counting: a figure, symbol, or word used in calculating quantities of individual things
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2. identifying figure: a figure or group of figures identifying somebody or something, e.g. a set of figures identifying somebody as a telephone subscriber, or a figure identifying a sports player or competitor
  Let me have your fax number.
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3. countable quantity: a total or estimated total of persons or things that can be individually counted
We have received a number of complaints.
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4. single thing in series: a single one of a series of things produced in sequence, especially a single issue of a magazine
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5. counting: the concept of calculating quantities of individual things
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6. grammar grammatical quantity: quantity expressed, in some languages, by the form of a word
The qualifying adjective agrees with the noun in gender and number.
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7. piece of music: a self-contained piece of popular music, especially one of several that feature in a performance
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8. garment: an item of clothing, especially women's clothing
(
informal
)
a little silk number
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9. thing: a thing of any kind, especially something that gives pleasure or impresses
(
informal
)
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10. person: somebody regarded in sexual terms
(
informal
)
(
sometimes considered offensive
)
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verb (past and past participle num·bered, present participle num·ber·ing, 3rd person present singular num·bers) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb identify somebody or something by number: to give somebody or something an identifying number
Don't forget to number the pages.
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2. transitive and intransitive verb achieve total: to reach a particular total amount
Supporters numbered over 300, while there were only 15 dissenters.
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3. transitive verb include somebody or something: to include somebody or something as one of a group
It is numbered among the world's most prestigious hotels.
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| [13th century. < Anglo-Norman numbre< Latin numerus] |
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| num·ber·er noun |
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do a number on somebody to treat somebody unfairly or harshly, e.g. by deliberate and systematic criticism or ridicule (slang)
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have somebody's number to understand somebody's true motives or character and so be well placed to deal with him or her
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somebody's days are numbered somebody's life or term of employment is about to come to an end
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