Cardinal-number
Also called cardinal numeral. any of the numbers that express amount, as one, two, three, etc. (distinguished from ordinal number).
Also called potency, power. Mathematics. a number or symbol analogous to the number of elements in a finite set, being identical for two sets that can be placed into one-to-one correspondence:
The cardinal number of the set a1, a2, … an is n.
noun
a number denoting quantity but not order in a set Sometimes shortened to cardinal
(maths, logic)
a measure of the size of a set that does not take account of the order of its members Compare natural number
a particular number having this function
n.
1590s, “one, two, three,” etc. as opposed to ordinal numbers “first, second, third,” etc.; so called because they are the principal numbers and the ordinals depend on them (see cardinal (adj.)).
cardinal number
(kär’dn-əl)
A number, such as 3, 11, or 412, used in counting to indicate quantity but not order. Compare ordinal number.
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