figure

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

figure
    n 1: a diagram or picture illustrating textual material; "the
         area covered can be seen from Figure 2" [syn: {figure},
         {fig}]
    2: alternative names for the body of a human being; "Leonardo
       studied the human body"; "he has a strong physique"; "the
       spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" [syn: {human body},
       {physical body}, {material body}, {soma}, {build}, {figure},
       {physique}, {anatomy}, {shape}, {bod}, {chassis}, {frame},
       {form}, {flesh}]
    3: one of the elements that collectively form a system of
       numeration; "0 and 1 are digits" [syn: {digit}, {figure}]
    4: a model of a bodily form (especially of a person); "he made a
       figure of Santa Claus"
    5: a well-known or notable person; "they studied all the great
       names in the history of France"; "she is an important figure
       in modern music" [syn: {name}, {figure}, {public figure}]
    6: a combination of points and lines and planes that form a
       visible palpable shape
    7: an amount of money expressed numerically; "a figure of $17
       was suggested"
    8: the impression produced by a person; "he cut a fine figure";
       "a heroic figure"
    9: the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite
       quantity of units or individuals; "he had a number of chores
       to do"; "the number of parameters is small"; "the figure was
       about a thousand" [syn: {number}, {figure}]
    10: language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense [syn:
        {trope}, {figure of speech}, {figure}, {image}]
    11: a unitary percept having structure and coherence that is the
        object of attention and that stands out against a ground
        [ant: {ground}]
    12: a decorative or artistic work; "the coach had a design on
        the doors" [syn: {design}, {pattern}, {figure}]
    13: a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating; "she
        made the best score on compulsory figures"
    v 1: judge to be probable [syn: {calculate}, {estimate},
         {reckon}, {count on}, {figure}, {forecast}]
    2: be or play a part of or in; "Elections figure prominently in
       every government program"; "How do the elections figure in
       the current pattern of internal politics?" [syn: {figure},
       {enter}]
    3: imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind; "I can't see him on
       horseback!"; "I can see what will happen"; "I can see a risk
       in this strategy" [syn: {visualize}, {visualise}, {envision},
       {project}, {fancy}, {see}, {figure}, {picture}, {image}]
    4: make a mathematical calculation or computation [syn:
       {calculate}, {cipher}, {cypher}, {compute}, {work out},
       {reckon}, {figure}]
    5: understand; "He didn't figure her"

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Figure \Fig"ure\ (f[i^]g"[-u]r; 135), n. [F., figure, L. figura;
   akin to fingere to form, shape, feign. See {Feign}.]
   1. The form of anything; shape; outline; appearance.
      [1913 Webster]

            Flowers have all exquisite figures.   --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting,
      modeling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a
      representation of the human body; as, a figure in bronze;
      a figure cut in marble.
      [1913 Webster]

            A coin that bears the figure of an angel. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A pattern in cloth, paper, or other manufactured article;
      a design wrought out in a fabric; as, the muslin was of a
      pretty figure.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Geom.) A diagram or drawing, made to represent a
      magnitude or the relation of two or more magnitudes; a
      surface or space inclosed on all sides; -- called
      superficial when inclosed by lines, and solid when
      inclosed by surfaces; any arrangement made up of points,
      lines, angles, surfaces, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career
      of a person; as, a sorry figure.
      [1913 Webster]

            I made some figure there.             --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

            Gentlemen of the best figure in the county.
                                                  --Blackstone.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous
      representation; splendor; show.
      [1913 Webster]

            That he may live in figure and indulgence. --Law.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. A character or symbol representing a number; a numeral; a
      digit; as, 1, 2,3, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

   8. Value, as expressed in numbers; price; as, the goods are
      estimated or sold at a low figure. [Colloq.]
      [1913 Webster]

            With nineteen thousand a year at the very lowest
            figure.                               --Thackeray.
      [1913 Webster]

   9. A person, thing, or action, conceived of as analogous to
      another person, thing, or action, of which it thus becomes
      a type or representative.
      [1913 Webster]

            Who is the figure of Him that was to come. --Rom. v.
                                                  14.
      [1913 Webster]

   10. (Rhet.) A mode of expressing abstract or immaterial ideas
       by words which suggest pictures or images from the
       physical world; pictorial language; a trope; hence, any
       deviation from the plainest form of statement. Also
       called a {figure of speech}.
       [1913 Webster]

             To represent the imagination under the figure of a
             wing.                                --Macaulay.
       [1913 Webster]

   11. (Logic) The form of a syllogism with respect to the
       relative position of the middle term.
       [1913 Webster]

   12. (Dancing) Any one of the several regular steps or
       movements made by a dancer.
       [1913 Webster]

   13. (Astrol.) A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the
       astrological houses. --Johnson.
       [1913 Webster]

   14. (Music)
       (a) Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as
           a group of chords, which produce a single complete
           and distinct impression. --Grove.
       (b) A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a
           strain or passage; a musical phrase or motive; a
           florid embellishment.
           [1913 Webster]

   Note: Figures are often written upon the staff in music to
         denote the kind of measure. They are usually in the
         form of a fraction, the upper figure showing how many
         notes of the kind indicated by the lower are contained
         in one measure or bar. Thus, 2/4 signifies that the
         measure contains two quarter notes. The following are
         the principal figures used for this purpose: --
         2/22/42/8 4/22/44/8 3/23/43/8 6/46/46/8
         [1913 Webster]

   {Academy figure}, {Canceled figures}, {Lay figure}, etc. See
      under {Academy}, {Cancel}, {Lay}, etc.

   {Figure caster}, or {Figure flinger}, an astrologer. "This
      figure caster." --Milton.

   {Figure flinging}, the practice of astrology.

   {Figure-of-eight knot}, a knot shaped like the figure 8. See
      Illust. under {Knot}.

   {Figure painting}, a picture of the human figure, or the act
      or art of depicting the human figure.

   {Figure stone} (Min.), agalmatolite.

   {Figure weaving}, the art or process of weaving figured
      fabrics.

   {To cut a figure}, to make a display. [Colloq.] --Sir W.
      Scott.
      [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Figure \Fig"ure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Figured}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Figuring}.] [F. figurer, L. figurare, fr. figura. See
   {Figure}, n.]
   1. To represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an
      image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into
      a determinate form; to shape.
      [1913 Webster]

            If love, alas! be pain I bear,
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            No thought can figure, and no tongue declare.Prior.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.
      [1913 Webster]

            The vaulty top of heaven
            Figured quite o'er with burning meteors. --Shak.
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   3. To indicate by numerals; also, to compute.
      [1913 Webster]

            As through a crystal glass the figured hours are
            seen.                                 --Dryden.
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   4. To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.
      [1913 Webster]

            Whose white vestments figure innocence. --Shak.
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   5. To prefigure; to foreshow.
      [1913 Webster]

            In this the heaven figures some event. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. (Mus.)
      (a) To write over or under the bass, as figures or other
          characters, in order to indicate the accompanying
          chords.
      (b) To embellish.
          [1913 Webster]

   {To figure out}, to solve; to compute or find the result of.
      

   {To figure up}, to add; to reckon; to compute the amount of.
      [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Figure \Fig"ure\, v. i.
   1. To make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicious; as,
      the envoy figured at court.
      [1913 Webster]

            Sociable, hospitable, eloquent, admired, figuring
            away brilliantly.                     --M. Arnold.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To calculate; to contrive; to scheme; as, he is figuring
      to secure the nomination. [Colloq.]
      [1913 Webster]

   {go figure} a phrase used by itself as an interjection to
      mean "How can one explain that?", or to express puzzlement
      over some seeming contradiction. [Colloq.]
      [PJC]

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