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fig1 definition

fig (fig)

noun

  1. the hollow, pear-shaped false fruit (syconium) of the fig tree, with sweet, pulpy flesh containing numerous tiny, seedlike true fruits (achenes)
  2. any of a genus (Ficus) of fig-bearing trees of the mulberry family, esp. any of the many cultivated varieties of a tree (F. carica) bearing edible figs
  3. a trifling amount; little bit not worth a fig
  4. a gesture of contempt or disdain made as by placing the thumb between the first two fingers or under the upper teeth

Etymology: ME fige < OFr < VL *fica, for L ficus, fig tree, fig

fig2 definition

fig (fig)

transitive verb figged, figging fig′·ging

to dress showily: with out or up

Etymology: altered < obs. feague, to whip, polish; confused with the contr. for figure, prob. from the use of this contracted form in reference to plates in books of fashions

noun

  1. dress; appearance
  2. shape; condition
fig Idioms

in full fig

Informal completely dressed or outfitted, esp. in a showy manner
fig3 definition

fig

  1. figurative
  2. figuratively
  3. figure(s)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms fig idiom

fig Usage Examples

Object

  • comparison: Fig 7.5 Direct comparisons can be made to previous surveys of the whole Force, which asked the same question.

Converse of object

  • dry: Arrange the dried figs in a row on top.

Adjective modifier

  • ripe: That heart now threatens, like the ripe fig he grows on the Tyne, to overwhelm his work with sweetness.

Modifies a noun

  • leaf: Nowadays, the fig leaf is no longer displayed on the David.

Noun used with modifier

  • strangler: It's not a snake or spider, but the strangler fig tree.

Preposition: of

  • thistle: Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Preposition: from

  • thistle: Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
fig usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

fig quotes

But beside it I have planted a green Bay-tree, öA sweet Bay, an Olive, and aTurkey Fig, öA Fig, an Olive, and a Bay.

-Bethell, (Mary) Ursula

And when the woman saw that the tree wasgood for food, and that it waspleasanttothe eyes,and atreetobe desired to make one wise she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them bothwere opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the L God walking inthegarden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the L God amongst the trees of the garden.

-Bible (Old Testament)

A fig for those by law protected! Liberty's a glorious feast! Courts for Cowards were erected, Churches built to please the Priest.

-Burns, Robert

fig quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"fig." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/fig>

APA Style

fig. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/fig

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