number vs sign

number

noun
  • An abstract entity used to describe quantity. 

  • A sequence of digits and letters used to register people, automobiles, and various other items. 

  • Of a word or phrase, the state of being singular, dual or plural, shown by inflection. 

  • An item of clothing, particularly a stylish one. 

  • An element of one of several sets: natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers, complex numbers, and sometimes extensions such as hypercomplex numbers, etc. 

  • A marijuana cigarette, or joint; also, a quantity of marijuana bought from a dealer. 

  • Indicating the position of something in a list or sequence. Abbreviations: No or No., no or no. (in each case, sometimes written with a superscript "o", like Nº or №). The symbol "#" is also used in this manner. 

  • Quantity. 

  • A person. 

  • A large amount of damage 

  • A large amount, in contrast to a smaller amount; numerical preponderance. 

  • A telephone number. 

  • A performance; especially, a single song or song and dance routine within a larger show. 

  • A numeral: a symbol for a non-negative integer. 

verb
  • To label (items) with numbers; to assign numbers to (items). 

  • To total or count; to amount to. 

sign

noun
  • A semantic unit, something that conveys meaning or information (e.g. a word of written language); (linguistics, semiotics) a unit consisting of a signifier and a signified concept. (See sign (semiotics).) 

  • An astrological sign. 

  • A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages. 

  • Sign language in general. 

  • A wonder; miracle; prodigy. 

  • A perceptible (e.g. visible) indication. 

  • A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, can be detected objectively by someone other than the patient. 

  • A military emblem carried on a banner or standard. 

  • Physical evidence left by an animal. 

  • A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures. 

  • An omen. 

  • Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign. 

verb
  • To write (one's name) as a signature. 

  • To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it. 

  • To communicate using gestures to (someone). 

  • To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross. 

  • To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract. 

  • To determine the sign of 

  • To cross oneself. 

  • To furnish (a road etc.) with signs. 

  • More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc. 

  • To write one's signature. 

  • To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc. 

  • To use sign language. 

  • To communicate or make known (a meaning, intention, etc.) by a sign. 

  • To calculate or derive whether a quantity has a positive or negative sign. 

  • To mark, to put or leave a mark on. 

  • To communicate using a gesture or signal. 

How often have the words number and sign occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )