Etymology Map
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Number

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an arithmetical value

Where does the word "number" come from? It comes from Latin numerus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
numerus
Latin · ancient
"number"
the root of 'numeral' and 'numerous'
2
Stage 2 of 3
nombre
Old French · medieval
"number"
the 'b' formed naturally between m and r in French
3
Stage 3 of 3
number
English · 1200s
"number"
'numbers' as a gambling racket is 1890s American slang
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Read the full story

Number’s story begins in Latin: numerus meant “number.” The root of 'numeral' and 'numerous'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as nombre. The 'b' formed naturally between m and r in French. It reached English by 1200s as number. 'numbers' as a gambling racket is 1890s American slang. Today, number means an arithmetical value.