figured bass

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

figured bass
    n 1: a bass part written out in full and accompanied by numbers
         to indicate the chords to be played [syn: {figured bass},
         {basso continuo}, {continuo}, {thorough bass}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Figured \Fig"ured\, a.
   1. Adorned with figures; marked with figures; as, figured
      muslin.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Not literal; figurative. [Obs.] --Locke.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Mus.)
      (a) Free and florid; as, a figured descant. See
          {Figurate}, 3.
      (b) Indicated or noted by figures.
          [1913 Webster]

   {Figured bass}. See {Continued bass}, under {Continued}.
      [1913 Webster]