ˌfigyəˈrāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English figuracioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French figuration, from Latin figuration-, figuratio, from figuratus (past participle of figurare to figure) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at figure
1. : the act or action of creating or providing a figure
Dante's unique figuration of the underworld
2. : form , shape , outline
he studied words and figurations on pieces of money — Carl Sandburg
3. : the act or action of representation in figures and shapes : emblematic or typical representation ; also : the result of such an act or action
the new cubism was explained as a synthesis of colored figurations of objects — Janet Flanner
4. : the ornamental treatment of a musical passage by the use of decorative and usually repetitive figures specifically in variations of a theme
brilliant string figurations first for violins and then for cellos and basses — Cecil Gray