seven

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. The cardinal number equal to 6 + 1.
2. n. The seventh in a set or sequence.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. One more than six; the sum of three and four: a cardinal numeral. Seven is a rare number in metrology, perhaps its only occurrences being in the seven handbreadths of the Egyptian cubit (for the probable explanation of which, see cubit), and in the seven days of the week, certainly early connected, at least, with the astrological assignment of the hours in regular rotation to the seven planets. This astrological association explains the identification by Pythagoras of the number seven with the opportune time (καιρός), as well as the fact that light was called seven by the Pythagoreans. That they termed it “motherless” may be due to the “seven spirits” of the Chaldeans—that is, the planets—being called “fatherless and motherless.” The astrological association further explains why the number seven has so frequently been suggested by the conception of divine or spiritual influence, and why it was made the number of intelligence by Philolaus. The common statement that seven implies perfection has no further foundation than that the cabalistic meanings of all odd numbers are modes of perfection. One is the first, and was with the Pythagoreans the number of essence (οὐσία). Two involves otherness, and was the number of opinion, “because of its diversity.” Three involves mediation, and was the number of beginning, middle, and end. Four naturally suggests a square, and so equity, and was commonly considered the number of justice; but it further carries the suggestion of system, and often has that signification. Five connects itself with the five fingers, used in counting, and thus is an ordinary synecdoche for a small group (“Five of you shall chase an hundred”—Lev. xxvi. 8); but the Pythagoreans, for some unknown reason, made it the number of marriage. Six played an important part in the sexagesimal system of the Chaldeans; but its Pythagorean meaning is doubtful. In the Apocalypse 666 is the number of the beast. Eight, being the first cube, would naturally suggest solidity; but according to Dr. Wordsworth it is the dominical or resurrection number. Nine, or three triads, was the number of the great gods of Egypt, and was considered efficient in all magical operations. Ten, for reasons connected with the history of the Pythagorean brotherhood, was consid ered by them as the great number of power. To eleven no particular significance is attached. Twelve was important in the Chaldean division of the circle, and was the number of the great gods. Thirteen, according to Dr. Mahan, is the number of schism. Seven was formerly used generally and vaguely to indicate a large number.
2. (b ) The constellation Ursa Major.
3. The Pleiades.
4. n. The number greater by one than six; a group of things amounting to this number.
5. n. The symbol representing this number, as 7, or VII, or vii.
6. n. plural In Eng. hymnology, a species of trochaic meter having seven syllables to the line, and properly four lines to the stanza. Sevens double (7s, D.) has eight lines, and other varieties are marked by the number of lines, as 7s, 6l, or 7s, 3l. Sevens and fives is a trochaic meter having three lines of seven syllables with one of five. Sevens and sixes is a meter, usually of eight lines, in which trochaic lines of seven syllables alternate with iambic lines of six syllables. Other varieties occur. See meter, 3.
7. n. A playing-card with seven spots or pips on it.
8. n. To set in confusion.

Wiktionary

1. A numerical value equal to 7; the number occurring after six and before eight.
2. n. The digit/figure 7 or an occurrence thereof.
3. n. A card bearing seven pips.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. adj. One more than six; six and one added.
2. n. The number greater by one than six; seven units or objects.
3. n. A symbol representing seven units, as 7, or vii.

WordNet 3.0

1. adj. being one more than six
2. n. one of four playing cards in a deck with seven pips on the face
3. n. the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one