The term 'total number' can be defined as the sum of two words: 'COUNT' and 'AMOUNT'. COUNT is a five-letter word meaning to name or list one by one, while AMOUNT is a six-letter word meaning the total sum of something. Together, these two words form the phrase 'total number', which is used to refer to the total sum of a group of items. This phrase is often used in mathematics, accounting, and other fields where it is important to keep track of the total number of items in a group.