The number of elements in a set, representing the size or count of the collection. For finite sets, cardinality is simply the count of objects; for infinite sets, it describes different 'sizes' of infinity.
From Latin 'cardō' meaning hinge or that on which something turns, suggesting cardinal numbers as the fundamental 'hinge' numbers for counting. The term was formalized by Georg Cantor in the late 19th century during his groundbreaking work on set theory.
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