cardinal number

American  

[kahr-dn-l nuhm-ber] / ˈkɑr dn l ˈnʌm bər /

noun

1. Also called cardinal numeral.  any of the numbers that express amount, as one, two, three, etc. (distinguished from ordinal number).

2. Also called potency, power.  Mathematics. a number or symbol analogous to the number of elements in a finite set, being identical for two sets that can be placed into one-to-one correspondence.

   The cardinal number of the set a1, a2, … an is n.

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cardinal number British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: cardinal.  a number denoting quantity but not order in a set

2. maths logic

   1. a measure of the size of a set that does not take account of the order of its members Compare natural number

   2. a particular number having this function

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cardinal number Scientific  

/ kär′dn-əl /

1. A number, such as 3, 11, or 412, used in counting to indicate quantity but not order.

2. Compare ordinal number

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Etymology

Origin of cardinal number

First recorded in 1585–95