A greater number is conversely inferior, on the whole? (10)

'whole?' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'a greater number is conversely inferior on' is the wordplay.
'a greater number' becomes 'more' (I've seen this in another clue).
'is conversely' becomes 'or' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'inferior' becomes 'less' (lesser or less significant).
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'more'+'or'+'less'='MOREORLESS'

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?