number

/nŭm′bər/

noun

1. A member of the set of positive integers; one of a series of symbols of unique meaning in a fixed order that can be derived by counting.
2. A member of any of the following sets of mathematical objects: integers, rational numbers, real numbers, and complex numbers. These sets can be derived from the positive integers through various algebraic and analytic constructions.
3. Arithmetic.
4. A symbol or word used to represent a number.
5. A numeral or a series of numerals used for reference or identification.
   his telephone number; the apartment number.
6. A position in an ordered sequence that corresponds to one of the positive integers.
   the house that is number three from the corner; ranked number six in her class.
7. One item in a group or series considered to be in numerical order.
   an old number of a magazine.
8. A total; a sum.
   the number of feet in a mile.
9. An indefinite quantity of units or individuals.
   The crowd was small in number. A number of people complained.
10. A large quantity; a multitude.
    Numbers of people visited the fair.
11. Numerical superiority.
    The South had leaders, the North numbers.
12. (Grammar) The indication, as by inflection, of the singularity, duality, or plurality of a linguistic form.
13. Metrical feet or lines; verses.
14. (Obsolete) Poetic meter.
15. (Archaic) Musical periods or measures.
16. (Games) A numbers game.
17. One of the separate offerings in a program of music or other entertainment.
    The band's second number was a march.
18. (Slang) A frequently repeated, characteristic speech, argument, or performance.
    suspects doing their usual number—protesting innocence.
19. (Slang) A person or thing singled out for a particular characteristic.
    a crafty number.