number-cruncher and number-crunching see under number

number /numˈbər/

1. That by which single things are counted or reckoned
2. Quantity reckoned in units
3. A particular value or sum of single things or units
4. A representation in arithmetical symbols of such a value or sum
5. A full complement
6. A specified or recognized, and often exclusive, set, class or group
7. The multitude (obsolete)
8. Some or many of the persons or things in question (often in pl)
9. More than one
10. A total quantity or amount
11. Numerousness
12. (in pl) numerical superiority
13. Numerability
14. A numeral or series of numerals indicating a thing's place in a series, or one assigned to it for reference, as in a catalogue
15. A label or other object bearing such an indication
16. A person or thing marked or designated in such a way
17. An item
18. An issue of a periodical or serial publication
19. A self-contained portion of an opera or other composition
20. Arithmetical faculty
21. (in pl) rhythm, verses, music
22. The property in words of expressing singular, dual, trial, etc and plural (grammar)
23. A telephone number
24. A single item in a programme, esp of popular music and/or variety turns
25. An admired item of merchandise on show, usu of women's clothing (informal)
26. A person or thing thought of with affection or familiarity, esp a girl (slang)
27. (with cap, in pl) the fourth book of the Old Testament, in which an account of a census is given

1. To count
2. To count out in payment (Milton)
3. To apportion
4. To have lived through
5. (also intransitive verb) to count as one of a group
6. (also intransitive verb) to mark with a number or assign a number to
7. (also intransitive verb) to amount to

numˈberer noun

numˈberless adjective

1. Without number
2. More than can be counted

numˈberlessly adverb

numˈberlessness noun

numˈber-cruncher noun (informal)

1. A computer designed to carry out large quantities of complex numerical calculations
2. A person who operates such a computer, or carries out such calculations in his or her head

numˈber-crunching noun

numbered account noun

A bank account identified only by a number, with the holder's name kept secret

number eight noun

In Rugby Union, the forward whose position is at the back of the scrum

number line noun (mathematics)

An infinite straight line on which the points correspond to the set of real numbers

number nine noun (milit sl)

A purgative pill

number one adjective

Chief, most important

noun

1. The person or thing numbered one, the first in the numbered series
2. Self, oneself (informal)
3. The bestselling record or book at any particular time (informal)
4. A lieutenant, first officer (under the rank of commander; naut sl)
5. Urine (slang or childish)

number plate noun

The plaque on a motor vehicle showing its registration number

numbers game, numbers pool or numbers racket noun (US)

An illegal form of gambling in which players bet on the appearance of a chosen sequence of numbers in the financial pages of a newspaper, etc

numbers man noun (US)

Someone who runs a numbers game

number system noun (mathematics)

Any set of elements which has two binary operations called addition and multiplication, each of which is commutative and associative, and which is such that multiplication is distributive with respect to addition

Number Ten noun (informal)

10 Downing Street, official residence of the British Prime Minister

number theory noun

The branch of mathematics studying integers and their properties

number two noun

1. Second-in-command
2. Faeces (slang or childish)

any number of

Many

beyond or without number

Too many to be counted

by numbers

(of a procedure, etc) performed in simple stages with foolproof guidance provided (as if) in the form of a sequence of numbered instructions or steps

do a number on (slang)

1. To defeat utterly
2. To cheat or take advantage of

have or get someone's number (informal)

To size someone up

his (or her) number is up (informal)

He (or she) is doomed, has not long to live

in numbers

In large numbers

number off

To call out numbers in sequence

number of the beast see apocalyptic number under apocalypse

one's (or its) days are numbered

One's (or its) end is imminent

play the numbers game

To rely on arithmetical calculations, or use of figures in general, to make a point