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figure

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The definition of a figure is a number, a certain amount of money, a person's body shape or a notable person with an important or unique characteristic.

(noun)

An example of a figure is the number 2.
An example of a figure is when you ask for a price for an item.
An example of a figure is a stocky person or a think person.
An example of a figure is a person you see far off in the distance who is in shadows.
An example of a figure is someone who stands in for a father.

To figure is defined as to play an important role in something.

(verb)

An example of figure is how a fact about global warming is important to the debate.

See figure in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the outline or shape of something; form
the shape of the human body; human form
a person, esp. one seen or thought of in a specified way: a great social figure
a likeness or representation of a person or thing
an illustration; diagram; picture; drawing
an artistic design in fabrics, etc.; pattern
1. the symbol for a number: the figure 5
2. calculation with such symbols; arithmetic: very good at figures
a sum of money
Dancing, Skating a series or pattern of steps or movements
Geom. a surface or space bounded on all sides by lines or planes
Logic the form of a syllogism with reference to the use of the middle term as variously the subject or the predicate of the premises
Music a series of consecutive tones or chords forming a distinct group which with other similar groups completes a phrase or theme; motif
Rhetoric figure of speech

Origin: ME < OFr < L figura < fingere, to form, shape: see dough

transitive verb figured, figuring

to represent in definite form; give a shape to
to represent mentally; imagine
to ornament with a design
to compute with figures
Informal to believe; consider; decide
Music to indicate chords for (the bass) by writing the appropriate figures next to the notes

Origin: ME figuren < the n.

intransitive verb

1. to appear, often prominently: with in: you figure in all my dreams
2. to be a causal factor: with in: poor food figured in his ill health
to do arithmetic
☆ Informal to consider; calculate
☆ Informal to be just as expected or as anticipated

Related Forms:

figurer noun

See figure in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A written or printed symbol representing something other than a letter, especially a number.
b. figures Mathematical calculations: good at figures.
c. An amount represented in numbers: sold for a large figure.
a. Mathematics A geometric form consisting of any combination of points, lines, or planes: A triangle is a plane figure.
b. The outline, form, or silhouette of a thing.
c. The shape or form of a human body.
d. An indistinct object or shape: saw figures dashing down the street.
a. A person, especially a well-known one: a famous historical figure.
b. A person's public image or presence: became a tragic figure overnight.
Impression or appearance made: cuts a dashing figure.
A person, animal, or object that symbolizes something.
A pictorial or sculptural representation, especially of the human body.
a. A diagram.
b. A design or pattern, as in a textile: silk with a paisley figure.
An illustration printed from an engraved plate or block.
a. A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.
b. A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.
Music A brief melodic or harmonic unit often constituting the basis of a larger phrase or structure.
Logic Any one of the forms that a syllogism can take, depending on the position of the middle term.

verb fig·ured, fig·ur·ing, fig·ures

verb, transitive

Mathematics To calculate with numbers.
To make a likeness of; depict.
To adorn with a design or figures.
Music
a. To write a sequence of conventionalized numbers below or above (the bass line) to indicate harmony.
b. To embellish with an ornamental pattern.
Informal
a. To conclude, believe, or predict: I never figured that this would happen.
b. To consider or regard: figured them as con artists.

verb, intransitive

Mathematics To calculate; compute.
a. To be or seem important or prominent.
b. To be pertinent or involved: politicians who figured in the scandal.
Informal To seem reasonable or expected: It figures.

Phrasal Verbs: figure in To include, as in making an account: figured in travel expenses. figure on Informal To depend on: We figured on your support. To take into consideration; expect: I figured on an hour's delay. To plan: We figure on leaving at noon. figure out Informal To discover or decide: Let's figure out a way to help. To solve or decipher: Can you figure out this puzzle?

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin figūra; see dheigh- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: