[ noun ] the dividend of a fraction <noun.quantity>
Numerator \Nu"mer*a"tor\, n. [L. numerator: cf. F. num['e]rateur.] 1. One who numbers.
2. (Math.) The term in a fraction which indicates the number of fractional units that are taken.
Note: In a vulgar fraction the numerator is written above a line; thus, in the fraction 5/9 (five ninths) 5 is the numerator; in a decimal fraction it is the number which follows the decimal point. See {Fraction}.
But there has been at least as much pressure from the numerator, which is mainly welfare expenditure.