{ } a. [ Cf. F. numérique. See Number, n. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Belonging to number; denoting number; consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers, and not letters; as, numerical characters; a numerical equation; a numerical statement. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Numerical, as opposed to algebraical, is used to denote a value irrespective of its sign; thus, -5 is numerically greater than -3, though algebraically less. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The same in number; hence, identically the same; identical; as, the same numerical body. [ Obs. ] South. [ 1913 Webster ]

Would to God that all my fellow brethren, which with me bemoan the loss of their books, . . . might rejoice for the recovery thereof, though not the same numerical volumes. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. relating to or having ability to think in or work with numbers; as, tests for rating numerical aptitude. Contrasted with verbal.
Syn. -- mathematical. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

Numerical equation (Alg.), an equation which has all the quantities except the unknown expressed in numbers; -- distinguished from literal equation. --
Numerical value of an equation or expression, that deduced by substituting numbers for the letters, and reducing. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a numerical manner; in numbers; with respect to number, or sameness in number; as, a thing is numerically the same, or numerically different. [ 1913 Webster ]