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Glite Dictionary
Hindu-Arabic numeral

Hindu-Arabic numeral

2.1
A symbol for the numbers zero to nine used in decimal counting
  • noun
  • /ˈhɪnduˈærəbɪk ˈnjumərəl/
translation icon : número hindú-árabe
  • Our entire decimal counting system is based on Hindu-Arabic numerals.

Examples

  • The Hindu-Arabic numeral system is widely used around the world.

  • Can you identify the Hindu-Arabic numerals in this equation?

  • Most digital clocks display time using Hindu-Arabic numerals rather than Roman numerals.

  • The number 7 is represented by a Hindu-Arabic numeral in modern mathematics.

  • Most digital clocks display time using Hindu-Arabic numerals rather than Roman numerals.

  • Our entire decimal counting system is based on Hindu-Arabic numerals.

  • The number 7 is represented by a Hindu-Arabic numeral in modern mathematics.

Synonyms

digit
vsHindu-Arabic numeral
194 1.0

One of the symbols zero to nine used to write numbers

is the historical combined term for those same ten symbols
numeral
vsHindu-Arabic numeral
14 3.4

A word or symbol that shows a number

is the specific name for the ten decimal symbols used as numerals
Arabic numeral
vsHindu-Arabic numeral
1 1.0

A symbol from 0 to 9 used to write numbers

combines Indian and Arabic naming for the same ten symbols
Hindu numeral
vsHindu-Arabic numeral
3.3

A written symbol that shows one of the numbers 0 to 9

uses both Indian and Arabic origin names for the same symbols

Surface Forms

Hindu-Arabic numeral singular
Hindu-Arabic numerals plural

Morphology

Hindu-Arabic + numeral

The word 'numeral' makes it clear this refers to a written number sign, and the hyphenated 'Hindu-Arabic' signals a cultural/historical origin, so a learner can roughly infer it names a system of number symbols. However, the specific reference to the ten digits 0–9 and the historical naming convention are cultural/terminological knowledge not directly derivable from the parts, so the meaning is only partially predictable.

Etymology

The term Hindu-Arabic numeral comes from the history of the digits: the ten symbol shapes were first used in India, so Hindu, and later brought to Europe by Arab teachers, so Arabic. Because these ten symbols, including the important '0', made counting and calculation much easier, they became the standard 'numbers' we use today.