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| fig·ure [ fíggyər ] |
noun (plural fig·ures) |
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| Definition: |
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1. symbol representing number: a symbol representing something other than a letter of the alphabet, especially a number
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2. amount expressed numerically: an amount or value expressed as a number
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3. somebody's body shape: the shape of an individual human body, especially with regard to its slimness or attractiveness
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4. arts representation: a representation of a human being in a picture or sculpture
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5. human shape seen indistinctly: a human shape seen in outline or indistinctly or that is unidentified
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6. somebody within particular context: a person, especially with regard to status within a context, e.g. in history or in a community or profession
  She was a prominent figure in her community.
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7. somebody serving as example: somebody regarded as having qualities that exemplify a particular role in life
(
usually used in combination
)
a father figure
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8. way somebody appears to others: the general impression somebody makes on other people
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9. publishing illustrative drawing or diagram: an illustrative drawing or diagram in a book or article
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10. shape or outline of something: something represented by a shape or outline
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11. mathematics geometric form: any two- or three-dimensional geometric form consisting of points, lines, curves, or planes
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12. handicraft pattern or design: a pattern or design, especially on cloth or wood
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13. dance ice skating dance or skating routine: a sequence of movements performed by dancers or ice-skaters in a routine
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14. music group of musical notes: a short progression of musical notes that produces a single distinct impression
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15. logic form of syllogism: the form of a syllogism in Aristotelian logic as determined by the position of the middle term
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plural noun fig·ures |
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| Definition: |
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mathematical calculations: calculations involving numbers
(
informal
)
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verb (past and past participle fig·ured, present participle fig·ur·ing, 3rd person present singular fig·ures) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb be included in something: to appear, take part, or be included in something
did not figure in the outcome
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2. transitive verb U.S. believe or conclude: to believe or come to the conclusion that something is the case
(
informal
)
She figured he must have been telling the truth.
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3. transitive verb U.S. believe somebody to be something: to believe somebody or something to be a particular type
I had him figured for a lawyer.
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4. transitive verb imagine something: to form an idea about or envision something
The way I figure it, she must have seen the guy somewhere before.
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5. transitive and intransitive verb U.S. be unsurprising: to be or happen as expected
It just figures they'd show up late.
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6. transitive and intransitive verb U.S. mathematics calculate: to use mathematical calculations to work out an amount or value
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| [13th century. Via French< Latin figura "form, shape, figure" < fingere "make, shape"] |
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cut a fine or sorry figure to look impressive or unimpressive
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go figure used to indicate that you think a situation you have described is odd or hard to comprehend (slang)
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