number

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an item of merchandise offered for sale

   I prefer the black nylon number.

2. 2
   noun

   a clothing measurement

   a number 13 shoe

3. 3
   noun

   the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

   They had a number of chores to do.

4. 4
   noun

   the grammatical category for the forms of nouns and pronouns and verbs that are used depending on the number of entities involved (singular or dual or plural)

   in English the subject and the verb must agree in number

5. 5
   noun

   a numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification

   I refused to give them my Social Security number.

6. 6
   noun

   the sequence of digits that is used in calling a particular telephone

   I got an unlisted number after being stalked.

7. 7
   noun

   a select company of people

   I hope to become one of their number before I die

8. 8
   noun

   a concept of quantity involving zero and units

   every number has a unique position in the sequence

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English number, nombre, numbre, noumbre, from Anglo-Norman noumbre, Old French nombre, from Latin numerus (“number”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *nem- (“to divide”). Compare Saterland Frisian Nummer, Nuumer, West Frisian nûmer, Dutch nummer (“number”), German Nummer (“number”), Danish nummer (“number”), Swedish nummer (“number”), Icelandic númer (“number”). Replaced Middle English ȝetæl and rime, more at tell, tale and rhyme.