Outnumbering Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ข
outnumbering
[aสtหnสmbษrษชล ]
Definition
numerical comparison
To outnumber means to be greater in number than someone or something else. It often refers to a situation where one group has more individuals compared to another group, making them dominant in terms of numbers.
Synonyms
exceed, outstrip, outweigh, surpass.
Examples of usage
- The soldiers outnumbered the enemy forces.
- In the debate, the proponents of the resolution outnumbered the opponents.
- In many species, females often outnumber males.
- During the election, voters outnumbered the candidates.
- The students outnumbered the teachers at the meeting.
Translations
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Origin of 'outnumbering'
The term 'outnumber' originated from the combination of the prefix 'out-' and the word 'number.' The prefix 'out-' comes from Old English 'ลซtan' meaning 'outside' or 'beyond,' often indicating an excess or superiority in quantity or extent. The word 'number' has its roots in Old French 'nombre' and Latin 'numerus,' which refer to a numeral or count. The use of 'outnumbering' implies a comparison where one quantity is greater than another, often used in contexts of competition or conflict, such as military confrontations or population statistics. The term reflects both numerical advantage and the implications that come with having a larger group.