amount

views updated May 21 2018

a·mount / əˈmount/ • n. a quantity of something, typically the total of a thing or things in number, size, value, or extent: the sport gives an enormous amount of pleasure to many people the substance is harmless if taken in small amounts. ∎  a sum of money: they have spent a colossal amount.• v. [intr.] (amount to) come to be (the total) when added together: losses amounted to over 10 million dollars. ∎  be the equivalent of: their actions amounted to a conspiracy. ∎  develop into; become: you'll never amount to anything.PHRASES: any amount of a great deal or number of: a good marriage can withstand any amount of external pressure.no amount of not even the greatest possible amount of: no amount of talk is going to change anything.

amount

views updated May 29 2018

amount †go up, ascend; rise to a certain level. XIII. — AN. am(o)unter, OF. amonter, f. amont upward, i.e. à mont :- L. ad montem to the hill; see MOUNT1.
Hence amount sb. XVIII.