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Synonyms
num·ber (nŭḿbər)

[Middle English nombre, from Old French, from Latin numerus.]

noun 

  1. Mathematics
    1. 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.
    2. A member of any of the further sets of mathematical objects, such as negative integers and real numbers.
  2. Arithmetic.
    1. A symbol or word used to represent a number.
    2. A numeral or a series of numerals used for reference or identification: his telephone number; the apartment number.
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    1. A large quantity; a multitude: Numbers of people visited the fair.
    2. 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.
    1. Metrical feet or lines; verses: “These numbers will I tear, and write in prose” (Shakespeare)
    2. Obsolete Poetic meter.
  10. Archaic Musical periods or measures.
  11. Games A numbers game.
  12. A book of the 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.

verb: -bered, -ber·ing, -bers. 

transitive verb 

  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.

intransitive verb 

  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
In unison as numbers are called out by a leader: performing calisthenics by the numbers. In a strict, step-by-step or mechanical way.
do a number on
To defeat, abuse, or humiliate in a calculated and thorough way.
get (someone's) number
To determine or know someone's real character or motives.
without number
Too many to be counted; countless: mosquitoes without number.

derivatives

nuḿber·er
noun

usage note

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.
numb (nŭm)

[Middle English nome, variant of nomin past participle of nimen, to seize, from Old English niman.]

adjective: numb·er, numb·est. 

  1. Deprived of the power to feel or move normally; benumbed: toes numb with cold; too numb with fear to cry out.
  2. Emotionally unresponsive; indifferent: numb to yet another appeal.

tr. & intr.v.: numbed, numb·ing, numbs. 

To make or become numb.

derivatives

numb́ly
adverb
numb́ness
noun