from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Numeric \Nu*mer"ic\, Numerical \Nu*mer"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
num['e]rique. See {Number}, n.]
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1. Belonging to number; denoting number; consisting in
numbers; expressed by numbers, and not letters; as,
numerical characters; a numerical equation; a numerical
statement.
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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.
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2. The same in number; hence, identically the same;
identical; as, the same numerical body. [Obs.] --South.
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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.
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3. relating to or having ability to think in or work with
numbers; as, tests for rating numerical aptitude.
Contrasted with {verbal}.
Syn: mathematical.
[WordNet 1.5]
{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.
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