number

来自拉丁语numerus,数字，数量，插入字母b,来自PIE*nem,分配，分开，词源同numeracy,nemesis.引申词义分开的数量，数字。

number

number: [13] The etymological notion underlying the word number is probably ‘distribution’. Its ultimate source, Latin numerus, may have been related to Greek némein ‘deal out, distribute’ (source of English nemesis and related to nomad). Numerus passed into Old French as nombre (subsequently borrowed by German as nummer), and English acquired it via Anglo-Norman numbre. Derivatives of Latin numerus to have reached English include enumerate [17], numeral [16], numerate [20], numerical [17], and numerous [16].
=> enumerate, numerous

number (n.)

c. 1300, "sum, aggregate of a collection," from Anglo-French noumbre, Old French nombre and directly from Latin numerus "a number, quantity," from PIE root *nem- "to divide, distribute, allot" (related to Greek nemein "to deal out;" see nemesis). Meaning "symbol or figure of arithmetic value" is from late 14c. Meaning "single (numbered) issue of a magazine" is from 1795. Meaning "dialing combination to reach a particular telephone receiver" is from 1879; hence wrong number (1886). The modern meaning "musical selection" (1885) is from vaudeville theater programs, where acts were marked by a number. Earlier numbers meant "Harmony; proportion calculated by number," and "Verses, poetry" [Johnson].

Number one "oneself" is from 1704 (mock-Italian form numero uno attested from 1973); the biblical Book of Numbers (c. 1400, Latin Numeri, Greek Arithmoi) so called because it begins with a census of the Israelites. Slang number one and number two for "urination" and "defecation" attested from 1902. Number cruncher is 1966, of machines; 1971, of persons. To get or have (someone's) number "have someone figured out" is attested from 1853. The numbers "illegal lottery" is from 1897, American English.

number (v.)

c. 1300, "to count," from Old French nombrer "to count, reckon," from nombre (n.) "number" (see number (n.)). Meaning "to assign a number to" is late 14c.; that of "to ascertain the number of" is from early 15c. Related: Numbered; numbering.

1. And a number of African countries, too, are slipping through the net.

并且一些非洲国家也被漏掉了。

2. There must be any number of people in my position.

一定有很多人处在我这种境况。

3. Accidents are still the number one cause of premature death for Americans.

交通事故仍然是造成美国人过早死亡的头号因素。

4. They issue a fixed number of shares that trade publicly.

他们发行一定数量的可公开交易的股票。

5. The economy is the number one issue by far.

到目前为止，经济是头等大事。