from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fig \Fig\ (f[i^]g), n. [F. figue the fruit of the tree, Pr.
figa, fr. L. ficus fig tree, fig. Cf. {Fico}.]
1. (Bot.) A small fruit tree ({Ficus Carica}) with large
leaves, known from the remotest antiquity. It was probably
native from Syria westward to the Canary Islands.
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2. The fruit of a fig tree, which is of round or oblong
shape, and of various colors.
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Note: The fruit of a fig tree is really the hollow end of a
stem, and bears numerous achenia inside the cavity.
Many species have little, hard, inedible figs, and in
only a few does the fruit become soft and pulpy. The
fruit of the cultivated varieties is much prized in its
fresh state, and also when dried or preserved. See
{Caprification}.
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3. A small piece of tobacco. [U.S.]
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4. The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; -- used
in scorn or contempt. "A fig for Peter." --Shak.
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{Cochineal fig}. See {Conchineal fig}.
{Fig dust}, a preparation of fine oatmeal for feeding caged
birds.
{Fig faun}, one of a class of rural deities or monsters
supposed to live on figs. "Therefore shall dragons dwell
there with the fig fauns." --Jer. i. 39. (Douay version).
{Fig gnat} (Zool.), a small fly said to be injurious to figs.
{Fig leaf}, the leaf tree; hence, in allusion to the first
clothing of Adam and Eve (Genesis iii.7), a covering for a
thing that ought to be concealed; esp., an inadequate
covering; a symbol for affected modesty.
{Fig marigold} (Bot.), the name of several plants of the
genus {Mesembryanthemum}, some of which are prized for the
brilliancy and beauty of their flowers.
{Fig tree} (Bot.), any tree of the genus {Ficus}, but
especially {F. Carica} which produces the fig of commerce.
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