figure

The form of any thing as expressed by the outline or terminating extremities. Flowers have exquisite figures. A triangle is a figure of three sides. A square is a figure of four equal sides and equal angles.

figure

Shape; form; person; as a lady of elegant figure. A good figure, or person, in man or woman, gives credit at first sight to the choice of either.

figure

Distinguished appearance; eminence; distinction; remarkable character. Ames made a figure in Congress; Hamilton, in the cabinet.

figure

Appearance of any kind; as an ill figure; a mean figure.

figure

Magnificence; splendor; as, to live in figure and indulgence.

figure

A statue; an image; that which is formed in resemblance of something else; as the figure of a man in plaster.

figure

Representation in painting; the lines and colors which represent an animal, particularly a person; as the principal figures of a picture; a subordinate figure.

figure

In manufactures, a design or representation wrought on damask, velvet and other stuffs.

figure

In logic, the order or disposition of the middle term in a syllogism with the parts of the question.

figure

In arithmetic, a character denoting a number; as 2. 7. 9.

figure

In astrology, the horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses.

figure

In theology, type; representative. Who was the figure of him that was to come. Romans 5:14.

figure

In rhetoric, a mode of speaking or writing in which words are deflected from their ordinary signification, or a mode more beautiful and emphatical than the ordinary way of expressing the sense; the language of the imagination and passions; as, knowledge is the light of the mind; the soul mounts on the wings of faith; youth is the morning of life. In strictness, the change of a word is a trope, and any affection of a sentence a figure; but these terms are often confounded.

figure

In grammar, any deviation from the rules of analogy or syntax.

figure

In dancing, the several steps which the dancer makes in order and cadence, considered as they form certain figures on the floor.

figure

verb transitive

fig’ur.

figure

To form or mold into any determinate shape. Accept this goblet, rough with figured gold.

figure

To show by a corporeal resemblance, as in picture or statuary.

figure

To cover or adorn with figures or images; to mark with figures; to form figures in by art; as, to figure velvet or muslin.

figure

To diversify; to variegate with adventitious forms of matter.