answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer
Answer: Abbreviation for Number

It's just what people chose for the abbreviation for that word, like lb for the word pound. There is no l or b in pound.

But the logical answer is:


In fact, no. (once also written with a superscript o) is an abbreviation of Latin numero, the ablative of numerus 'number'; the ablative case is used for the meaning 'in number', which is how the abbreviation was first used.

Your question now will no doubt be "OK, then, why is 'no.' the abbreviation for 'numero'? Why not 'nu.'?" The answer to this is that abbreviations don't necessarily have the initial part of a word, especially if that's not the important part. So "Mister" is Mr., not Mi., and "verb" is vb. Knowing that numero has an -o ending is important, and that's why we have no.

The abbreviation no. is first found in English in the seventeenth century.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

Still curious? Ask our experts.

Chat with our AI personalities

SteveSteve
Knowledge is a journey, you know? We'll get there.
Chat with Steve
ProfessorProfessor
I will give you the most educated answer.
Chat with Professor
DevinDevin
I've poured enough drinks to know that people don't always want advice—they just want to talk.
Chat with Devin

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is number abbreviated as no When there is no o in number?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp