| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024num•ber /ˈnʌmbɚ/USA pronunciation n. - a mathematical unit used to count or express an amount, quantity, etc.:[countable]Six is an even number; one, three, and five are odd numbers.
- Mathematics[countable] a numeral or group of numerals;
a written number. - Pronounsthe total of a group or of a collection of units: [countable]What is the number of people with reserved seats?[uncountable]Rivers are few in number in that state.
- an indefinite quantity;
several:[countable* usually singular;often: ~ + of]I've been there a number of times. - Mathematics the particular numeral that is given or assigned to an object so as to distinguish it or show its place in a series:[countable]a house number;a license number;a telephone number.[before a numeral]We took the number 113 bus to the station.
- numbers, [plural]
- a considerable amount or quantity;
many:arrived in large numbers. - Poetrynumerical strength;
a greater amount:There is strength in numbers. - Games[the + ~] a lottery in which bets are placed on numbers chosen at random and published or broadcast.
- Informal Termsthe figures representing the actual cost, expense, profit, etc.:The numbers didn't really add up, so the accountant went back over them.
- arithmetic:Are you any good at numbers?
- Music and Dance a tune or arrangement for singing or dancing;
a piece of music:[countable]The next number they played was "Sunshine of Your Love.'' - Music and Dance a certain performance within a show, as a song or dance:[countable]Don't miss the number that opens the second act.
- Grammar a category of change in the form of a word which indicates whether the word refers to one or to more than one thing, in the distinction between singular and plural:[uncountable]In English, number is represented by the ending -s for many nouns in the plural, such as boys, books, clothes, and dolls.
- Informal Termsperson;
individual:[countable* usually singular]The girls think he's a pretty hot number. One of our number is no longer with us; Bob died suddenly last week.
v. - to mark with or distinguish by numbers, usually in a series:[~ + object]He numbered the examples one through ten on the board.
- to amount to or reach in number;
total: [~ + object]Our air force numbers one thousand bombers.[no object]Our army numbers in the thousands. - to consider or include in a number:[~ + object]I number myself among his friends. He was numbered among their enemies.
- to be close to the end of something:[~ + object* usually: be + ~ed]He knew his hours were numbered after he took three bullets in the chest.
- to figure out the amount or quantity of;
count:[~ + object]We numbered the days until we could go home again.
Idioms- by the numbers:
- Idiomsaccording to standard procedures.
- Idioms do a number on, [~ + object][Slang.]to defeat or humiliate:Their team did a number on us, beating us 55-0.
- Idioms get or have someone's number, [Informal.]to figure out or understand someone's character, intentions, or any hidden motives or plans they may have:She thinks she's fooling them, but in fact they have her number. She's got my number all right; she knew just what I would do.
- Idioms without number, of unknown or countless number;
vast:Stars and galaxies without number fill the universe.
See -num-. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024num•ber (num′bər),USA pronunciation n. - Mathematicsa numeral or group of numerals.
- Pronounsthe sum, total, count, or aggregate of a collection of units, or the like:A number of people were hurt in the accident. The number of homeless children in the city has risen alarmingly.
- a word or symbol, or a combination of words or symbols, used in counting or in noting a total.
- Mathematicsthe particular numeral assigned to an object so as to designate its place in a series:house number; license number.
- one of a series of things distinguished by or marked with numerals.
- a certain collection, company, or quantity not precisely reckoned, but usually considerable or large:I've gone there a number of times.
- the full count of a collection or company.
- a collection or company.
- a quantity of individuals:Their number was more than 20,000.
- numbers:
- a considerable amount or quantity;
many:Numbers flocked to the city to see the parade. - Poetrymetrical feet;
verse. - Music and Dancemusical periods, measures, or groups of notes.
- GamesSee numbers pool (def. 1).
- Informal Termsthe figures representing the actual cost, expense, profit, etc.:We won't make a decision until we see the numbers.
- [Obs.]arithmetic.
- quantity as composed of units:to increase the number of eligible voters.
- numerical strength or superiority;
complement:The garrison is not up to its full number. - Music and Dancea tune or arrangement for singing or dancing.
- Music and Dancea single or distinct performance within a show, as a song or dance:The comic routine followed the dance number.
- Music and Dancea single part of a program made up of a group of similar parts:For her third number she played a nocturne.
- any of a collection of poems or songs.
- a distinct part of an extended musical work or one in a sequence of compositions.
- Poetry, Music and Danceconformity in music or verse to regular beat or measure;
rhythm. - Printing, Literaturea single part of a book published in a series of parts.
- Printing, Journalisma single issue of a periodical:several numbers of a popular magazine.
- Telecommunicationsa code of numerals, letters, or a combination of these assigned to a particular telephone:Did you call the right number?
- Grammara category of noun, verb, or adjective inflection found in many languages, as English, Latin, and Arabic, used to indicate whether a word has one or more than one referent. There may be a two-way distinction in number, as between singular and plural, three-way, as between singular, dual, and plural, or more.
- Informal Termsperson;
individual:the attractive number standing at the bar. - Informal Termsan article of merchandise, esp. of wearing apparel, offered for sale:Put those leather numbers in the display window.
- Mathematicsmathematics regarded as a science, a basic concept, and a mode of thought:Number is the basis of science.
- by the numbers:
- Idiomsaccording to standard procedure, rules, customs, etc.;
orthodoxly;
by the book:We're going to run things here by the numbers. - Idiomstogether or in unison to a called-out count:calisthenics by the numbers.
- Slang Terms do a number on:
- Idiomsto undermine, defeat, humiliate, or criticize thoroughly:The committee really did a number on the mayor's proposal.
- Idiomsto discuss or discourse about, esp. in an entertaining way:She could do a number on anything from dentistry to the Bomb.
- do one's number:
- to give a performance;
perform:It's time for you to get on stage and do your number. - [Slang.]to behave in a predictable or customary manner:Whenever I call, he does his number about being too busy to talk.
- Informal Terms, Idioms get or have someone's number, to become informed about someone's real motives, character, intentions, etc.:He was only interested in her fortune, but she got his number fast.
- Slang Terms, Idioms have one's number on it, to be thought of as the instrument of fate in the death of a person:That bullet had his number on it.
- Slang Terms one's number is (was, will be) up:
- Idiomsone is (was, will be) in serious trouble.
- Idiomsone is (was, will be) on the point of death:Convinced that her number was up anyway, she refused to see doctors.
- Idioms without number, of unknown or countless number;
vast:stars without number.
v.t. - to mark with or distinguish by numbers:Number each of the definitions.
- to amount to or comprise in number;
total:The manuscript already numbers 425 pages. - to consider or include in a number:I number myself among his friends.
- to count over one by one;
tell:to number one's blessings. - to mention individually or one by one;
enumerate:They numbered the highlights of their trip at length. - to set or fix the number of;
limit in number;
make few in number:The sick old man's days are numbered. - to live or have lived (a number of years).
- to ascertain the number of;
count. - to apportion or divide:The players were numbered into two teams.
v.i. - to make a total;
reach an amount:Casualties numbered in the thousands. - to be numbered or included (usually fol. by among or with):Several eminent scientists number among his friends.
- to count.
- Latin numerāre (derivative of numerus)
- Old French nombrer
- Latin numerus; (verb, verbal) Middle English nombren
- Old French
- 1250–1300; 1940–45 for def. 23; (noun, nominal) Middle English, variant of nombre
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged digit, figure.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged Number, sum both imply the total of two or more units. Number applies to the result of a count or estimate in which the units are considered as individuals; it is used of groups of persons or things:to have a number of items on the agenda.Sum applies to the result of addition, in which only the total is considered:a large sum of money.
- 20.See corresponding entry in Unabridged copy, edition.
2. As a collective noun, number, when preceded by a, is most often treated as a plural:A number of legislators have voiced their dissent.When preceded by the, it is usually used as a singular:The number of legislators present was small.See also amount, collective noun. |