numerical

or nu·mer·ic

[noo-mer-i-kuh l or noo-mer-ik; nyoo-]

See more synonyms for numerical on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of or relating to numbers; of the nature of a number.
indicating a number: numerical symbols.
bearing or designated by a number.

expressed by numbers instead of letters: numerical cryptography; numerical equations.
of or relating to one's skill at working with numbers, solving mathematical problems, etc.: tests for rating numerical aptitude.
Mathematics. absolute(def 12).

Origin of numerical

1615–25; < Latin numer(us) number + -ical

Related formsnu·mer·i·cal·ly, adverbnu·mer·i·cal·ness, nounun·nu·mer·i·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for numerical

analytical, scientific, numerical, demographic, ensuing, successive, numeral, measurable, algebraic, algorithmic, arithmetical, computative, geometrical, math, arithmetic, binary, exponent, fraction, fractional, integral

Examples from the Web for numerical

Contemporary Examples of numerical

A numerical data set helps physicians and other doctors know when to order scans of any kind.
Are Routine Scans Causing Cancer?
Dale Eisinger
September 17, 2014
He has no illusions about the status of his numerical designation.
Literary Bond Superior to Movie Version
Allen Barra
November 11, 2012
It has been decided that the accusers will not be able to hide behind their numerical designations during the trial.
The Sandusky Sexual Abuse Case’s Biggest Mysteries
Diane Dimond
June 5, 2012
Its manifestations will be categorized by two numerical scales of severity that aim to locate each individual on the continuum.
Don't Remove Asperger's From the DSM
Lucy Berrington
May 21, 2011
Some aspects of the proposed criteria can be unclear in adults, who might be “undiagnosed” under the numerical cutoffs.
Don't Remove Asperger's From the DSM
Lucy Berrington
May 21, 2011

Historical Examples of numerical

Provisions were abundant and the numerical strength was sufficient.
The Bay State Monthly, Vol. 1, Issue 1.
Various
I learned the numerical strength of the British army, for one thing.
The Dare Boys of 1776
Stephen Angus Cox
As his men had fled too rapidly to be overtaken, the numerical loss was not great.
No Surrender!
G. A. Henty
The numerical system is the best corrective of this and similar errors.
Medical Essays
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
The speaker then enumerated the numerical strength of his commandos.
The Peace Negotiations
J. D. Kestell

British Dictionary definitions for numerical

numerical

numeric

adjective

of, relating to, or denoting a number or numbers
measured or expressed in numbersnumerical value
maths
1. containing or using constants, coefficients, terms, or elements represented by numbers3x² + 4y = 2 is a numerical equation Compare literal (def. 6)
2. another word for absolute (def. 11a)

Derived Formsnumerically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for numerical

adj.

1620s, from Latin numerus "a number" (see number (n.)) + suffix -ical. Perhaps by influence of French numérique "of a number or numbers." Related: Numerically.