Numeral
/ˈnjuː.mə.rəl/noun
A symbol or group of symbols representing a number.
Did you know?The root of 'numeral' ties back to ancient ideas of counting that were often linked with divination and the cosmos, as numbers were seen as keys to understanding the universe.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*neum-
“to count or to distribute, indicating a connection to measurable quantities.”
Latin
Latin
numerus
“a number or count, often used in contexts of measurement and order.”
Old French
Old French
numeral
“pertaining to numbers, adopted from Latin during the medieval period.”
Middle English
Middle English
numeral
“a character or symbol used to represent a number, marking the transition into modern usage.”
Modern English
English
numeral
“a term for any number representation, established in current language as we use it today.”