Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Numeric?

\Nu*mer"ic\, Numerical \Nu*mer"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. num['e]rique. See {Number}, n.] 1. Belonging to number; denoting number; consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers, and not letters; as, numerical characters; a numerical equation; a numerical statement. Note: Numerical, as opposed to {algebraical}, is used to denote a value irrespective of its sign; thus, -5 is numerically greater than -3, though algebraically less. 2. The same in number; hence, identically the same; identical; as, the same numerical body. [Obs.] --South. Would to God that all my fellow brethren, which with me bemoan the loss of their books, . . . might rejoice for the recovery thereof, though not the same numerical volumes. --Fuller. {Numerical equation} (Alg.), an equation which has all the quantities except the unknown expressed in numbers; -- distinguished from {literal equation}. {Numerical value} of an equation or expression, that deduced by substituting numbers for the letters, and reducing.
\Nu*mer"ic\, n. (Math.) Any number, proper or improper fraction, or incommensurable ratio. The term also includes any imaginary expression like m + n[root]-1, where m and n are real numerics.