Tra từ number - Từ điển American Heritage Dictionary 4th

num·ber (nŭmʹbər)n.
1. Mathematics.
a. 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.
b. A member of any of the further sets of mathematical objects, such as negative integers and real numbers.
2. numbers Arithmetic.
3.
a. A symbol or word used to represent a number.
b. A numeral or a series of numerals used for reference or identification:
his telephone number; the apartment number.
4.
a. 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.
b. One item in a group or series considered to be in numerical order:
an old number of a magazine.
5. A total; a sum:
the number of feet in a mile.
6. An indefinite quantity of units or individuals:
The crowd was small in number. A number of people complained.
7. numbers
a. A large quantity; a multitude:
Numbers of people visited the fair.
b. Numerical superiority:
The South had leaders, the North numbers.
8. Grammar. The indication, as by inflection, of the singularity, duality, or plurality of a linguistic form.
9. numbers
a. Metrical feet or lines; verses: “These numbers will I tear, and write in prose” (Shakespeare).
b. Obsolete. Poetic meter.
10. numbers Archaic. Musical periods or measures.
11. numbers (used with a sing. or pl. verb)Games. A numbers game.
12. Numbers (used with a sing. verb) Abbr. Num. or Nb See table at Bible.
13. One of the separate offerings in a program of music or other entertainment:
The band's second number was a march.
14. Slang. A frequently repeated, characteristic speech, argument, or performance:
suspects doing their usual number—protesting innocence.
15. Slang. A person or thing singled out for a particular characteristic:
a crafty number.v. num·bered, num·ber·ing, num·bersv. tr.
1. To assign a number to.
2. To determine the number or amount of; count.
3. To total in number or amount; add up to.
4. To include in a group or category:
He was numbered among the lost.
5. To mention one by one; enumerate.
6. To limit or restrict in number:
Our days are numbered.v. intr.
1. To call off numbers; count:
numbering to ten.
2. To constitute a group or number:
The applicants numbered in the thousands.Idioms:by the numbers
1. In unison as numbers are called out by a leader:
performing calisthenics by the numbers.
2. In a strict, step-by-step or mechanical way.do a number on Slang
To defeat, abuse, or humiliate in a calculated and thorough way.get/have (someone's) number
To determine or know someone's real character or motives.without/beyond number
Too many to be counted; countless:
mosquitoes without number. [Middle English nombre, from Old French, from Latin numerus. See nem- in Indo-European Roots.] numʹber·er n.
Usage Note: As a collective noun number may take either a singular or a plural verb. It takes a singular verb when it is preceded by the definite article the: The number of skilled workers is small. It takes a plural verb when preceded by the indefinite article a: A number of the workers are unskilled.