figure

¹fig·ure

noun
\ˈfi-gyər, British & often US ˈfi-gər\

Definition of FIGURE

1

a : a number symbol : numeral, digit b plural : arithmetical calculations <good at figures> c : a written or printed character d : value especially as expressed in numbers : sum, price <sold at a low figure> e plural : digits representing an amount (as of money earned or points scored) <made six figures last year> <a score in double figures>

2

a : a geometric form (as a line, triangle, or sphere) especially when considered as a set of geometric elements (as points) in space of a given number of dimensions <a square is a plane figure> b : bodily shape or form especially of a person <a slender figure> c : an object noticeable only as a shape or form <figures moving in the dusk>

3

a : the graphic representation of a form especially of a person or geometric entity b : a diagram or pictorial illustration of textual matter

4

: a person, thing, or action representative of another

5

a : figure of speech b : an intentional deviation from the ordinary form or syntactical relation of words

6

: the form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term

7

: an often repetitive pattern or design in a manufactured article (as cloth) or natural product (as wood) <a polka-dot figure>

8

: appearance made : impression produced <the couple cut quite a figure>

9

a : a series of movements in a dance b : an outline representation of a form traced by a series of evolutions (as with skates on an ice surface or by an airplane in the air)

10

: a prominent personality : personage <great figures of history>

11

: a short coherent group of notes or chords that may constitute part of a phrase, theme, or composition

Examples of FIGURE

1. Are you sure of your figures?
2. I came up with a very different figure.
3. No precise figures are available yet.
4. The company had yearly sales figures of half a million units.
5. We could barely make out some figures moving in the mist.
6. The vase is decorated with figures of birds and fish.
7. The walls of the cave are covered with drawings of human and animal figures.
8. a collection of bronze figures

Origin of FIGURE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin figura, from fingere

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to FIGURE

Synonyms: digit, number, integer, numeral, numeric, whole number

Antonyms: nobody, noncelebrity

Related Words: decimal, fraction; cipher; symbol

Near Antonyms: lightweight, mediocrity; has-been

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral