[fig.ure] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L figura, fr. fingere] (13c) 1 a: a number symbol: numeral, digit "a salary running into six ~s" b pl: arithmetical calculations "good at ~s" c: a written or printed character d: value esp. as expressed in numbers: sum, price "sold at a low ~"
2. a: a geometric form (as a line, triangle, or sphere) esp. when considered as a set of geometric elements (as points) in space of a given number of dimensions "a square is a plane ~" b: bodily shape or form esp. of a person "a slender ~" c: an object noticeable only as a shape or form "~s moving in the dusk" 3 a: the graphic representation of a form esp. of a person or geometric entity b: a diagram or pictorial illustration of textual matter
4: a person, thing, or action representative of another
5. a: figure of speech b: an intentional deviation from the ordinary form or syntactical relation of words
6: the form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term 7: an often repetitive pattern or design in a manufactured article (as cloth) or natural product (as wood) "a polka-dot ~" 8: appearance made: impression produced "the couple cut quite a ~"
9. a: a series of movements in a dance b: an outline representation of a form traced by a series of evolutions (as with skates on an ice surface or by an airplane in the air) 10: a prominent personality: personage "great ~s of history" 11: a short coherent group of notes or chords that may constitute part of a phrase, theme, or composition
[2]figure vb fig.ured ; fig.ur.ing vt (14c) 1: to represent by or as if by a figure or outline
2: to decorate with a pattern; also: to write figures over or under (the bass) in order to indicate the accompanying chords
3: to indicate or represent by numerals
4. a: calculate b: conclude, decide "figured there was no use in further effort" c: regard, consider d: to appear likely "~s to win" ~ vi 1 a: to be or appear important or conspicuous b: to be involved or implicated "figured in a robbery"
2: to perform a figure in dancing
3: compute, calculate
4: to seem rational, normal, or expected "that ~s" -- fig.ur.er n -- figure on 1: to take into consideration "figuring on the extra income"
2: to rely on
3: plan "I figure on going into town"