1an act of determining the total number of something:at the last count, fifteen applications were still outstandingthe party’s only candidate was eliminated at the first count
the total determined by counting:there was a moderate increase in the white cell count in both patients
2an act of reciting numbers in ascending order, up to the specified number:hold the position for a count of seven
an act of reciting numbers up to ten by the referee when a boxer is knocked down, the boxer being considered knocked out if still down when ten is reached:he dropped by the ropes to take a count of six on one knee
3a point for discussion or consideration:the programme remained vulnerable on a number of counts
Law a separate charge in an indictment:he pleaded guilty to five counts of murder
4the measure of the fineness of a yarn expressed as the weight of a given length or the length of a given weight.
a measure of the fineness of a woven fabric expressed as the number of warp or weft threads in a given length.
ზმნა
Universal
1 [with object] determine the total number of (a collection of items):I started to count the stars I could seethey counted up their change
[no object] recite numbers in ascending order:hold the position as you count to five
[no object] (count down) recite or display numbers backwards to zero to indicate the time remaining before the launch of a rocket or the start of an operation:the floor manager pointed at the camera and counted down
[no object] (count down) prepare for a significant event in the short time remaining before it:with more orders expected, the company is counting down to a bumper Christmas
2 [with object] take into account; include:the staff has shrunk to four, or five if you count the European director
regard or be regarded as possessing a specified quality or fulfilling a specified role:she met some rebuffs from people she had counted as her friends [with object and complement]:I count myself fortunate to have known him [no object]:results which are consistent with all models cannot count as evidence for any of them
3 [no object] be significant:it did not matter what the audience thought—it was the critics that counted
(of a factor) play a part in influencing opinion for or against someone or something:he hopes his sporting attitude will count in his favour
(count for) be worth (a specified amount):he has no power base and his views count for little
(count towards) be included in an assessment of (a final result or amount):reduced rate contributions do not count towards your pension
4 [no object] (count on/upon) rely on:whatever you’re doing, you can count on me
—— and counting
used to say that a figure is constantly increasing:nearly seven years later (and counting), Hackett remains undefeated
beat the count
(of a boxer who has been knocked down) get up before the referee counts to ten:although Hurst tried to beat the count, it was clear that he was unable to continue
count one's blessings
be grateful for what one has:when you find that many people are worse off than you are, you’ll learn to count your blessings
count the cost
experience the adverse consequences of something, typically a foolish action.
count the days (or hours)
be impatient for time to pass:they counted the days until they came home on leave
count something on the fingers of one hand
used to emphasize the small number of a particular thing:you can count the exceptions on the fingers of one hand
proverb don’t be too confident in anticipating success or good fortune before it is certain:I wouldn’t count your chickens—I’ve agreed to sign the contract but that’s all I’ve agreed to
keep count (or a count)
take note of the number or amount of something:you can protect yourself by keeping a count of what you drink
lose count
forget how many of something there are, especially because the number is so high:I’ve lost count of the hundreds of miles I’ve covered
out (or North American also down) for the count
Boxing defeated by being knocked to the ground and unable to rise within ten seconds.
unconscious or soundly asleep.
take the count
Boxing be knocked out.
count someone in
informal include someone in an activity or the plans for it:if the project gets started, count me in
count someone out
1complete a count of ten seconds over a fallen boxer to indicate defeat:Jeffries landed a left hook to the jaw and Fitz was counted out
2not include someone in an activity:if this is a guessing game you can count me out
3(in children’s games) select a player for dismissal or a special role by using a counting rhyme.
count something out
1take items one by one from a stock of something, especially money, keeping a note of how many one takes:opening the wallet I counted out 19 dollars
2British procure the adjournment of the House of Commons when fewer than 40 members are present.
