I. ˈfigyə(r), usual in Brit speech & frequent in US speech but regarded by many in the US as substand -gə(r); “ figur-” followed by a vowel other than “e” is usually or often pronounced with y in Brit speech noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin figura, from fig- (stem of fingere to shape, form, devise, feign) + -ura -ure — more at dough
1.
a. : a number symbol (as one of the arabic numerals) : numeral , digit
b. figures plural : figures used in arithmetical calculating
figures can be made to prove anything
: arithmetical calculations
he is good at figures
c. : a written or printed character (as a letter, mathematical symbol, or cipher)
d. : value especially as expressed in numbers : price , amount , sum
the house sold at a low figure
e. : a numeral of a continuo in music
2.
a. : a body apparent chiefly in outline : an object significant or noticeable only in its form
a figure moving slowly in the dusk
b. : a surface shape in a work of art visually appreciable and separable from its surroundings
figure -ground relationship
c. : the part of a total stimulus situation which is most clearly perceived by an observer and to which he responds
3.
a. : the representation of a form (as by drawing, painting, modeling, carving, embroidering) ; specifically : a representation of the human form especially in the nude
b. : a diagram or pictorial illustration (as a linecut or photoreproduction) augmenting text matter (as of a book) — abbr. fig.
4. : a person, thing, or action conceived of as analogous to another person, thing, or action of which it is a type or representative
Adam … who is the figure of him that was to come — Rom 5:14 (Authorized Version)
5. : a diagram made to represent any definite combination of geometric elements
6. : an imagined form : phantasm
a figure of idle dreaming
7.
a. : a figure of speech: as
(1) : metaphor
(2) : simile
b. : an intentional deviation from the ordinary form or syntactical relation of words (as in syncope)
8.
a. : the two-dimensional proportions of a body or object
the figure of a ship on the horizon
b. : the shape of the human body
a woman with a good figure
9. : a diagram or scheme representing the heavens at a given moment (as at the moment of birth) : horoscope
10. : the form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term — compare mood
11.
a. : a pattern or design (as in nature or in a cloth, paper, or other manufactured article) wrought out often repetitively in systematic arrangement
the beautiful figures of crystals
a polka-dot figure
b. : the pattern produced on a wood surface by irregular coloration and by sawing through growth rings, knots, burls, and other deviations from regular grain ; especially : any such wood surface of decorative value
12.
a. : consequence in station or mode of living : rank , grandeur
a person of figure
b. : conspicuous part or appearance : impressive effect — often used with cut or make
the couple cut quite a figure
c. : appearance made or impression produced
a person who always presented a sorry figure
13.
a. : a series of movements that form one unit of a dance (as bowing to partners in a square dance)
b. : an outline representation of a form traced by means of a series of evolutions (as with skates on an ice surface or by an airplane in the air)
14. : a prominent personality : personage
whether people are impressed with you as a figure or a person — Anthony Perkins
15. : a short coherent group of notes or tones or chords constituting a germ which by varied repetition and association with other figures may grow into a phrase, theme, or accompaniment or entire musical composition — compare motive
Synonyms: see form , number
II. verb
( figured ; figured ; figuring -gyəriŋ, -g(ə)riŋ ; figures )
Etymology: Middle English figuren, from Middle French figurer, from Latin figurare, from figura
transitive verb
1.
a. : to represent by or as if by a figure : portray
an emblem wherein the apostles were figured
b. archaic : to represent or express by a metaphor : symbolize
c. obsolete : foreshadow
2.
a. : to adorn or embellish with a pattern or design
figured cloth
b.
(1) : to write figures over or under (the bass) in order to indicate the accompanying chords of a musical composition
(2) : to embellish in music with passing notes or figures
3.
a. : to indicate or represent by numerals
water depth figured along a wharf piling
b. : to provide with numerals
a watch dial figured in luminescent green
4. : to give the requisite shape to (as a mirror, lens, or prism)
5.
a.
(1) : compute , reckon
figure expenses
specifically : add — usually used with up
figure up an account
(2) : to determine or ascertain — usually used with out
figure a way out of a difficulty
b.
(1) : solve — usually used with out
figure a problem out
(2) : conclude , decide
he figured there was no use in further effort
(3) slang : to perceive the true makeup of : understand
he figured the whole scheme right away
6.
a. : regard , consider
figure himself a good candidate
b. : think , assume
intransitive verb
1. : to make a figure : be or appear important
the vice-president really figured in the company
2. : to perform a figure in dancing
3. : compute , calculate
a carpenter figuring on a board with a stub of pencil
4. slang : to seem rational, normal, or expected : be understandable
sure, that figures
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- figure on