Numerator
Pronunciation : Nu"mer*a"tor
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. numerator: cf. F. num?rateur.]
Definition : 1. One who numbers.
2. (Math.)
Defn: The term in a fraction which indicates the number of fractional units that are taken.
Note: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913