the nine

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Nine \Nine\, n.
   1. The number greater than eight by a unit; nine units or
      objects.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A symbol representing nine units, as 9 or ix.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A group of nine people; as, the New York nine (a baseball
      team).
      [PJC]

   {The Nine}, the nine Muses.
      [1913 Webster]