/ kaʊnt; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
SAY NUMBERS
1.
[ v ] count (from sth) (to / up to sth) to say numbers in the correct order :
Billy can't count yet.
She can count up to 10 in Italian.
to count from 1 to 10
FIND TOTAL
2.
count (sth) (up) to calculate the total number of people, things, etc. in a particular group :
[ vn ]
The diet is based on counting calories.
[ v wh- ]
She began to count up how many guests they had to invite.
[ v ]
There are 12 weeks to go, counting from today.
INCLUDE
3.
[ vn ] to include sb/sth when you calculate a total :
We have invited 50 people, not counting the children.
MATTER
4.
[ v ] count (for sth) (not used in the progressive tenses) to be important
SYN matter :
Every point in this game counts.
The fact that she had apologized counted for nothing with him.
It's the thought that counts (= used about a small but kind action or gift) .
ACCEPT OFFICIALLY
5.
to be officially accepted; to accept sth officially :
[ v ]
Don't go over that line or your throw won't count.
[ vn ]
Applications received after 1 July will not be counted.
CONSIDER
6.
count sb/sth (as) sb/sth | count as sb/sth to consider sb/sth in a particular way; to be considered in a particular way :
[ v , vn ]
For tax purposes that money counts / is counted as income.
[ vn ]
I count him among my closest friends.
[ vn - adj ]
I count myself lucky to have known him.
[ vn - n ]
She counts herself one of the lucky ones.
•
IDIOMS
- be able to count sb/sth on (the fingers of) one hand
- ... and counting
- count your blessings
- don't count your chickens (before they are hatched)
- count the cost (of sth)
- count sheep
- stand up and be counted
- who's counting?
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- count against sb | count sth against sb
- count down (to sth)
- count sb in
- count on sb/sth
- count sb/sth out
- count sb out
- count towards / toward sth
■ noun
TOTAL
1.
[ usually sing. ] an act of counting to find the total number of sth; the total number that you find :
The bus driver did a quick count of the empty seats.
If the election result is close, there will be a second count.
The body count (= the total number of people who have died) stands at 24.
—see also headcount
SAYING NUMBERS
2.
[ usually sing. ] an act of saying numbers in order beginning with 1 :
Raise your leg and hold for a count of ten.
He was knocked to the ground and stayed down for a count of eight (= in boxing) .
MEASUREMENT
3.
[ usually sing. ] ( technical ) a measurement of the amount of sth contained in a particular substance or area :
a raised white blood cell count
—see also blood count , pollen count
CRIME
4.
( law ) a crime that sb is accused of committing :
They were found guilty on all counts.
She appeared in court on three counts of fraud.
IN DISCUSSION / ARGUMENT
5.
[ usually pl. ] a point made during a discussion or an argument :
I disagree with you on both counts.
RANK / TITLE
6.
(in some European countries) a nobleman of high rank, similar to an earl in Britain :
Count Tolstoy
—see also countess
•
IDIOMS
- at the last count
- keep (a) count (of sth)
- lose count (of sth)
- out for the count
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 1 to 5 and verb Middle English (as a noun): from Old French counte (noun), counter (verb), from the verb computare calculate, from com- together + putare to settle (an account).
noun sense 6 late Middle English : from Old French conte , from Latin comes , comit- companion, overseer, attendant (in late Latin person holding a state office), from com- together with + it- gone (from the verb ire go).