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.
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If love, alas! be pain I bear,
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No thought can figure, and no tongue declare.Prior.
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2. To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.
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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.
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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.
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Whose white vestments figure innocence. --Shak.
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5. To prefigure; to foreshow.
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In this the heaven figures some event. --Shak.
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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.
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{To figure out}, to solve; to compute or find the result of.
{To figure up}, to add; to reckon; to compute the amount of.
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