- an arithmetical value, expressed by a word, symbol, or figure, representing a particular quantity and used in counting and making calculations and for showing order in a series or for identification数, 数值; 号码; 编号：
she dialled the number carefully
她小心地拨了号码
an even number.
一个偶数。
numbers
dated arithmetic〈旧〉算术：the boy was adept at numbers.
那个男孩算术很熟练。
- a quantity or amount数量：
the company is seeking to increase the number of women on its staff
公司正在设法增加女性员工的数量
the exhibition attracted vast numbers of visitors.
展览吸引了大量的参观者。
a number of
several数个, 数次, 几个, 几次：we have discussed the matter on a number of occasions.
这事我们已谈过几次了。
- a group or company of people一组（人）, 一群（人）：
there were some distinguished names among our number.
在我们这批人中有一些杰出的名字。
numbers
a large quantity or amount, often in contrast to a smaller one; numerical preponderance大数目, 大量（常与小数量相对）; 数量优势：the weight of numbers turned the battle against them.
数量上的优势使战局对他们不利。
- a single issue of a magazine（杂志的）一期：
the October number of 'Travel'.
十月份那期的《旅行》杂志。
- a song, dance, piece of music, etc., especially one of several in a performance（尤指一场演出中的）一首歌, 一个舞, 一支曲：
they go from one melodious number to another.
他们听了一首又一首优美的歌。
- usu. with adj. or noun modifier informal a thing, typically an item of clothing, of a particular type, regarded with approval or admiration〈非正式〉（令人赞赏或羡慕的）物品（尤指衣服）：
Yvonne was wearing a little black number.
伊冯娜当时穿着一件别致的黑衣服。
- mass noun a grammatical classification of words that consists typically of singular and plural, and, in Greek and certain other languages, dual数（对词的语法分类, 通常包括单数、复数, 在希腊语等某些语言中还有双数）。
- a particular form so classified单数形态; 复数形态; 双数形态。
- amount to (a specified figure or quantity); comprise总计; 包含：
the demonstrators numbered more than 5,000.
示威者总共有5,000多人。
- include or classify as a member of a group包括; 列入（某类）：
the orchestra numbers Brahms among its past conductors.
管弦乐团把勃拉姆斯列入它过去的指挥之列。
- （常作be numbered）mark with a number or assign a number to, typically to indicate position in a series标号, 编号：
each document was numbered consecutively.
每个文件都被连续编号。
- count点…的数目：
strategies like ours can be numbered on the fingers of one hand.
像我们这样的策略真是屈指可数, 不可多得。
- assess or estimate the size or quantity of (something) to be a specified figure估计（某物的）大小（或数量）：
he numbers the fleet at a thousand.
他估计船队的船只达1,000艘之多。
any number of
- any particular whole quantity of任意数量：
the game can involve any number of players.
这个游戏可以让任意数量的人参加。
- a large and unlimited quantity or amount of许多, 很多：
the results can be read any number of ways.
这些结果可以有多种不同解释。
by numbers
- following simple instructions identified by numbers or as if identified（逐条）按照指示机械地; 死板地：
painting by numbers.
机械地画画。
someone's/thing's days are numbered
- someone or something will not survive or remain in a position of power or advantage for much longer某人/某物时日无多, 持续不了多久：
my days as director were numbered.
我当导演的日子不多了。
do a number on
- N. Amer. informal treat someone badly, typically by deceiving, humiliating, or criticizing them in a calculated and thorough way〈北美, 非正式〉（尤指故意通过欺骗、羞辱、指责）伤害（某人）。
have someone's number
- informal understand a person's real motives or character and thereby gain some advantage〈非正式〉了解某人的真实动机（或性格）从而获得优势。
have someone's number on it
- informal (of a bomb, bullet, or other missile) destined to find a specified person as its target〈非正式〉（炸弹、子弹或其他投射武器）注定要击中某人。
someone's number is up
- informal the time has come when someone is doomed to die or suffer some other disaster or setback〈非正式〉某人的死期（或劫数）已到。
- ORIGIN: with reference to a lottery number or a number by which one may be identified.
without number
- too many to count不计其数：
they forgot the message times without number.
他们不知多少次忘记了那份电报。