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numerator

1. One who numbers.

2. (Science: mathematics) The term in a fraction which indicates the number of fractional units that are taken.

In a vulgar fraction the numerator is written above a line; thus, in the fraction 5/9 (five ninths) 5 is the numerator; in a decimal fraction it is the number which follows the decimal point. See Fraction.

Origin: L. Numerator: cf. F. Numerateur.