Definition of: figure

(fig′yər, Brit. fig′ər) noun
1. The visible form of any person or thing; fashion; shape; outline; appearance; hence, any visible object thus recognized.
2. The representation or likeness of the form of a person or other object, as in wax or marble, in a painting or drawing, upon a fabric, or as embodied in a diagram or illustration; a cut.
3. A combination of lines, points, surfaces, or solids representing an object or illustrating a condition or relation, or simply for decoration; a diagram, drawing, or pattern.
4. Geom. a A surface enclosed by lines, as a square, triangle, etc.: called a plane figure. b A space enclosed by planes or surfaces, as a cube, sphere, etc.: called a solid figure.
5. Any person, thing, or act that figures or prefigures, or is a type of some other or future thing or person.
6. Any personage or character, especially one who is active or conspicuous; one who plays a prominent part.
7. The appearance that a person or his conduct makes: to make a sorry figure.
8. A character representing a number: the figure 5; hence, amount stated in numbers; price; value: to sell goods at a high figure.
9. One of the regular movements or divisions of a dance, in which a certain set of steps or evolutions is completed.
10. Something conjured up by the imagination; a fancy; fantasm; imagination; idea.
11. A form of expression that deviates intentionally from the ordinary mode of speech for the sake of more powerful, pleasing, or distinctive effect; pictorial or poetic language.
12. An intentional deviation from ordinary form or construction, as in syntax, euphony, or prosody.
13. Logic The character of a syllogism with reference to the places occupied by the middle term in the major and minor premises.
14. Music a Any short succession of notes, either as melody or a group of chords, which produces a single, complete, and distinct impression; a musical phrase. b A theme or melody repeated throughout a whole movement as an accompaniment or bond of connection. c A numeral written in connection with the bass to show the unwritten harmony of a piece.
15. A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses.
—v. fig·ured, fig·ur·ing v.t.
1. To make an image, picture, or other representation of; depict.
2. To form an idea or mental image of; imagine.
3. To ornament or mark with a design.
4. To compute numerically; calculate.
5. To express metaphorically; symbolize.
6. Colloq. To think; believe; predict.
7. Music a To embellish, as by adding passing notes. b To mark with figures above or below the staff, indicating accompanying chords.
—v.i.
8. To be conspicuous; appear prominently.
9. To make computations; do arithmetic.
—to figure on (or upon)
1. To think over; consider.
2. To plan; expect.
—to figure out To reckon; ascertain; solve. [<F <L figura <fingere form]
—fig′ur·er noun Synonyms (noun): appearance, aspect, attribute, comparison, delineation, diagram, drawing, emblem, form, illustration, image, likeness, metaphor, simile, similitude, shape, symbol, type. Figure is the general term, including all representation of form to the eye, as in drawing, painting, or sculpture, and also the form itself that may be so represented. Figure is also the general word for representation of anything to the mind, as by illustration, metaphor, or symbol. An image is a visible representation, especially in sculpture, having or supposed to have a close resemblance to that which it represents. We speak of one object as the type of the class whose characteristics it exhibits, as in the case of animal or vegetable types. An attribute in art is some accessory used to characterize a figure or scene; the attribute is often an emblem or symbol; thus the eagle is the attribute of St. John as an emblem of lofty spiritual vision. Compare ALLEGORY, ATTRIBUTE, EMBLEM, FORM, IMAGE, SIGN, SIMILE.