outnumber
UK[ˌaʊtˈnʌmbə]US[ˌaʊtˈnʌmbər]
v
To be greater in number than someone or something.
Morpheme Breakdown
out
number
out
surpass
number
count
Etymology
The word 'outnumber' is a transparent English compound formed by combining the native prefix 'out-' with the noun 'number'. The prefix 'out-', deriving from Old English, carries the sense of exceeding or going beyond a limit. The noun 'number' entered English via Old French from Latin 'numerus', meaning a count or quantity. When combined in the early 17th century, the literal construction "to surpass in number" directly and logically created the verb meaning to exceed in numerical count, a meaning that remains perfectly aligned with its constituent parts today.
Analysis
Structure: out (surpass) + number (count)
- out: Old English 'ūt', meaning "out, beyond, to surpass". In this compound, it functions as an intensifying prefix indicating excess or superiority.
- number: From Old French 'nombre', ultimately from Latin 'numerus' meaning "a number, quantity". It functions as the root noun specifying the domain of action.
Examples
In the final battle, the defenders were heavily outnumbered by the invading forces.
Female students outnumber males in many university humanities programs.
The advantages of the new policy far outnumber its potential drawbacks.