Any counting number (3-4)
I believe the answer is:
non-zero
'any' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'counting number' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'number' could be 'zero' (zero is a kind of whole number) and 'zero' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'non' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for non-zero that I've seen before include "Having a positive or negative value, ie anything not equating to nought (mathematics)" , "Either positive or negative" .)