noun
also figure of eight
: something felt to resemble the arabic numeral eight in form or shape: as
a. : a small stopper knot
b. : a stitch used in embroidery
c. : a weave used in basketry
d. : a dance pattern ; especially : a square-dance figure in which a couple passes between the partners of an adjacent couple and around each
e. : a figure executed by a skater in any of several prescribed ways