By numbers (7)

I believe the answer is:

digital

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'by' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are adjectives, I cannot see how they can define each other.

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for digital that I've seen before include "(Watch) without hands" , "Replacement for analogue" , "Like computer technology" , "Key" , "Opposite of analogue" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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