ˈfɪɡə 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). øfigured 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. øøfigureless adj. [ME f. OF figure (n.), figurer (v.) f. L
figura, figurare, rel. to fingere fashion]
