Have you ever realized just how many words are associated with "number" itself? This comes from an Indo-European root meaning "share" or "portion" and seems to have been originally associated with the division of land. "Nimble" refers to one who is quick to take his share; your "nemesis" was originally your portion of Fate; and "numb" means "seized" or "taken." A "nomad" is one who wanders about in search of pasture land. There are many technical "nom" words: "binomial" (two-numbered), "astronomy" (numbering or allotting the stars), "economy," "autonomy," and so on.
John H. Conway, Richard Guy, The Book of Numbers











