digit

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   one of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration

   0 and 1 are digits.

2. 2
   noun

   A position in a sequence of numerals representing a place value in a positional number system.

   The base-10 number 123.4 has four digits: the hundreds digit is 1, the tens digit is 2, the units digit is 3, and the tenths digit is 4.

3. 3
   noun

   A distinct symbol representing a natural number in a positional number system.

   Hexadecimal numeration (Base sixteen) includes the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 but also A (=10 decimal), B, C, D, E, and F. Sixteen itself is written as the two-digit number 10.

4. 4
   noun

   ¹⁄₁₂ the apparent diameter of the sun or moon, (chiefly) as a measure of the totality of an eclipse.

   A six-digit eclipse covers half the lunar surface.

From Middle English digit, from Latin digitus (“a finger; a number”). Doublet of digitus and dedo.

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