Search results for 'number':

numb adj (number, numbest) 1 deprived completely, or to some degree, of sensation. 2 too stunned to feel emotion; stupefied • numb with shock. verb (numbed, numbing) 1 to make something numb. 2 to deaden something. numbly adverb. numbness noun.
ETYMOLOGY: 15c as nomen, meaning 'seized', ie with paralysis: from nim to take.

number noun 1 the means or system by which groups or sets, etc of individual things, etc are counted; a quantity calculated in units. 2 one or more arithmetical symbols representing such a quantity; a numeral or set of numerals, eg 5 or V, 15 or XV. 3 a numeral or set of numerals identifying something or someone within a series • telephone numbers. 4 (with a numeral) the person, animal, vehicle, etc bearing the specified numeral • Number 21 is pulling ahead. 5 a single one of a series, eg an issue of a magazine. 6 a quantity of individuals. 7 an act or turn in a programme. 8 a piece of popular music or jazz. 9 colloq an article or person considered appreciatively • driving a white sports number. 10 a group or set • isn't one of our number. 11 (numbers) numerical superiority • overwhelmed by sheer weight of numbers. 12 grammar the property of expressing, or classification of word forms into, singular and plural and, in some languages, 'dual' (for two people, things, etc). verb (numbered, numbering) 1 to give a number to something; to mark it with a number. 2 to amount to (a specified amount) • a crowd numbering about 500. 3 tr & intr to list; to enumerate. numberless adj 1 too many to count; innumerable. 2 without a number. any number of something many of it. by numbers said of a procedure, etc: performed in simple stages, each stage being identified by a number. one's days are numbered one is soon to die, or come to the end of something (eg a job) unpleasantly. get or have someone's number colloq to understand them; to have them sized up. one's number is up colloq one is due for some unpleasant fate, eg death or ruin. there is safety in numbers in situations where there is a risk of harm, rejection or failure, etc it is better to be one of a group or to involve oneself in a number of activities or approach a number of people, etc. without number more than can be counted; countless.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: from French nombre, from Latin numerus.