Nu"mer*a"tor (?), n. [L. numerator: cf. F. num'erateur.]
1.
One who numbers.
2. Math.
The term in a fraction which indicates the number of fractional units that are taken.
⇒ In a vulgar fraction the numerator is written above a line; thus, in the fraction 5/9 (five ninths) 5 is the numerator; in a decimal fraction it is the number which follows the decimal point. See Fraction.
© Webster 1913.