figure
- figure
- n. & v.
—n.
1 a the external form or shape of a thing. b bodily shape (has a well-developed figure).
2 a a person as seen in outline but not identified (saw a figure leaning against the door). b a person as contemplated mentally (a public figure).
3 appearance as giving a certain impression (cut a poor figure).
4 a a representation of the human form in drawing, sculpture, etc. b an image or likeness. c an emblem or type.
5 Geom. a two-dimensional space enclosed by a line or lines, or a three-dimensional space enclosed by a surface or surfaces; any of the classes of these, e.g. the triangle, the sphere.
6 a a numerical symbol, esp. any of the ten in Arabic notation. b a number so expressed. c an amount of money, a value (cannot put a figure on it). d (in pl.) arithmetical calculations.
7 a diagram or illustrative drawing.
8 a decorative pattern.
9 a a division of a set dance, an evolution. b (in skating) a prescribed pattern of movements from a stationary position.
10 Mus. a short succession of notes producing a single impression, a brief melodic or rhythmic formula out of which longer passages are developed.
11 (in full figure of speech) a recognized form of rhetorical expression giving variety, force, etc., esp. metaphor or hyperbole.
12 Gram. a permitted deviation from the usual rules of construction, e.g. ellipsis.
13 Logic the form of a syllogism, classified according to the position of the middle term.
14 a horoscope.
—v.
1 intr. appear or be mentioned, esp. prominently.
2 tr. represent in a diagram or picture.
3 tr. imagine; picture mentally.
4 tr. a embellish with a pattern (figured satin). b Mus. embellish with figures.
5 tr. mark with numbers (figured bass) or prices.
6 a tr. calculate. b intr. do arithmetic.
7 tr. be a symbol of, represent typically.
8 esp. US a tr. understand, ascertain, consider. b intr. colloq. be likely or understandable (that figures).
Phrases and idioms:
figured bass Mus. = CONTINUO. figure of fun a ridiculous person. figure on US count on, expect. figure out
1 work out by arithmetic or logic.
2 estimate.
3 understand. figure-skater a person who practises figure-skating. figure-skating skating in prescribed patterns from a stationary position.
Derivatives:
figureless adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF figure (n.), figurer (v.) f. L figura, figurare, rel. to fingere fashion
Useful english dictionary.
2012.
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Look at other dictionaries:
figure — [ figyr ] n. f. • Xe; lat. figura « forme » I ♦ 1 ♦ Vx Forme extérieure d un corps. ⇒ aspect. Des outils « dont il ne connaît ni l usage, ni le nom, ni la figure » (La Bruyère). ♢ Mod. N avoir plus figure humaine : être si mal en point que la… … Encyclopédie Universelle
figuré — figure [ figyr ] n. f. • Xe; lat. figura « forme » I ♦ 1 ♦ Vx Forme extérieure d un corps. ⇒ aspect. Des outils « dont il ne connaît ni l usage, ni le nom, ni la figure » (La Bruyère). ♢ Mod. N avoir plus figure humaine : être si mal … Encyclopédie Universelle
Figure — Fig ure (f[i^]g [ u]r; 135), n. [F., figure, L. figura; akin to fingere to form, shape, feign. See {Feign}.] 1. The form of anything; shape; outline; appearance. [1913 Webster] Flowers have all exquisite figures. Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. The… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
figure — FIGURE. s. f. La forme exterieure d une chose materielle. La figure du corps humain. cet animal, ce poisson est d une estrange figure, voilà une plante d une figure bien bizarre. une estrange figure d homme. une plaisante figure, une sotte figure … Dictionnaire de l'Académie française
Figure 8 — might refer to: *Figure 8, an expression describing a Lissajous curve that resembles the number 8 *Figure 8, a circle that turns around upon itself, on its side is a symbol for infinity *Figure eight knot, (also called a Flemish Knot), is a type… … Wikipedia
figuré — figuré, ée (fi gu ré, rée) part. passé. 1° Qui est fait selon une certaine figure. Terme d anatomie. Élément anatomique figuré, se dit par opposition à éléments anatomiques amorphes ou matières amorphes. Plan figuré d une maison, d une… … Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré
Figure — may refer to:*A shape, drawing, or representation *Figure 8 *A person s figure *Miniature representation of something **Action figure, in arts *a number *a type of person, as in Christ figureWriting *a figure in writing is a type of floating… … Wikipedia
figure — n 1 *number, numeral, digit, integer Analogous words: symbol, *character 2 *form, shape, configuration, conformation Analogous words: *outline, contour, profile, silhouette: *character, symbol, sign, mark … New Dictionary of Synonyms
figure — [fig′yər, figyoor; ] often, esp. for v., & Brit always [, fig′ər] n. [ME < OFr < L figura < fingere, to form, shape: see DOUGH] 1. the outline or shape of something; form 2. the shape of the human body; human form 3. a person, esp. one… … English World dictionary
Figure — Fig ure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Figured}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Figuring}.] [F. figurer, L. figurare, fr. figura. See {Figure}, n.] 1. To represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Figure 8 — Album par Elliott Smith Sortie 18 avril 2000 Durée 52:06 Genre Rock indépendant Producteur Elliott Smith Tom Rothrock Rob Schnapf … Wikipédia en Français
