from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Numerator \Nu"mer*a"tor\, n. [L. numerator: cf. F.
num['e]rateur.]
1. One who numbers.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Math.) The term in a fraction which indicates the number
of fractional units that are taken.
[1913 Webster]
Note: 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}.
[1913 Webster] Numeric