bignum

English

Etymology

Short for big number.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈbɪɡnʌm/

Noun

bignum (plural bignums)

1. (computing) A number whose digits of precision are limited only by available memory (as opposed to the usual fixed-point arithmetic).
2. (by extension, computing slang) A very large number.
   • 2017, Dean Koontz, The Silent Corner, page 198:

     Then there's the membership fee. A serious bignum.