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[fig-yer; especially British fig-er] /ˈfɪg yər; especially British ˈfɪg ər/

noun
1.
a numerical symbol, especially an Arabic numeral.
2.
an amount or value expressed in numbers.
3.
figures, the use of numbers in calculating; arithmetic:
to be poor at figures.
4.
a written symbol other than a letter.
5.
form or shape, as determined by outlines or exterior surfaces:
to be round, square, or cubical in figure.
6.
the bodily form or frame:
a slender or graceful figure.
7.
an individual bodily form or a person with reference to form or appearance:
A tall figure stood in the doorway.
8.
a character or personage, especially one of distinction:
a well-known figure in society.
9.
a person’s public image or presence:
a controversial political figure.
10.
the appearance or impression made by a person or sometimes a thing:
to make quite a figure in financial circles; to present a wretched figure of poverty.
11.
a representation, pictorial or sculptured, especially of the human form:
The frieze was bordered with the figures of men and animals.
12.
an emblem, type, or symbol:
The dove is a figure of peace.
13.
Rhetoric. a .
14.
a textural pattern, as in cloth or wood:
draperies with an embossed silk figure.
15.
a distinct movement or division of a dance.
16.
a movement, pattern, or series of movements in skating.
17.
Music. a short succession of musical notes, as either a melody or a group of chords, that produces a single complete and distinct impression.
18.
Geometry. a combination of geometric elements disposed in a particular form or shape:
The circle, square, and polygon are plane figures. The sphere, cube, and polyhedron are solid figures.
19.
Logic. the form of a categorical syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
20.
Optics. the precise curve required on the surface of an optical element, especially the mirror or correcting plate of a reflecting telescope.
21.
the natural pattern on a sawed wood surface produced by the intersection of knots, burls, growth rings, etc.
22.
a phantasm or illusion.
verb (used with object), figured, figuring.
23.
to compute or calculate (often followed by up):
to figure up a total.
24.
to express in figures.
25.
to mark or adorn with a design or pattern.
26.
to portray by speech or action.
27.
to represent or express by a figure of speech.
28.
to represent by a pictorial or sculptured figure, a diagram, or the like; picture or depict; trace (an outline, silhouette, etc.).
29.
Informal. to conclude, judge, reason, or think about:
I figured that you wanted me to stay.
30.
Music.

verb (used without object), figured, figuring.
31.
to compute or work with numerical figures.
32.
to be or appear, especially in a conspicuous or prominent way:
His name figures importantly in my report.
33.
Informal. (of a situation, act, request, etc.) to be logical, expected, or reasonable:
He quit the job when he didn’t get a raise—it figured.
Verb phrases
34.
figure in, to add in:
Figure in rent and utilities as overhead.
35.
figure on, Informal.

36.
figure out, Informal.

37.
figure up, Informal. to total:
The bill figures up to exactly $1000.
Idioms
38.
cut a figure. (defs 84, 85b).
/ˈfɪɡə; US ˈfɪɡjər/
noun
1.
any written symbol other than a letter, esp a whole number
2.
another name for digit (sense 2)
3.
an amount expressed numerically: a figure of 1800 was suggested
4.
(pl) calculations with numbers: he’s good at figures
5.
visible shape or form; outline
6.
the human form, esp as regards size or shape: a girl with a slender figure
7.
a slim bodily shape (esp in the phrases keep or lose one’s figure)
8.
a character or personage, esp a prominent or notable one; personality: a figure in politics
9.
the impression created by a person through behaviour (esp in the phrase to cut a fine, bold, etc, figure)
10.

11.
a representation in painting or sculpture, esp of the human form
12.
an illustration or explanatory diagram in a text
13.
a representative object or symbol; emblem
14.
a pattern or design, as on fabric or in wood
15.
a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating
16.
(geometry) any combination of points, lines, curves, or planes. A plane figure, such as a circle, encloses an area; a solid figure such as a sphere, encloses a volume
17.
(rhetoric) See figure of speech
18.
(logic) one of the four possible arrangements of the three terms in the premises of a syllogism Compare mood2 (sense 2)
19.
(music)

verb
20.
when tr, often foll by up. to calculate or compute (sums, amounts, etc)
21.
(transitive; usually takes a clause as object) (informal, mainly US & Canadian, NZ) to think or conclude; consider
22.
(transitive) to represent by a diagram or illustration
23.
(transitive) to pattern or mark with a design
24.
(transitive) to depict or portray in a painting, etc
25.
(transitive) (rhetoric) to express by means of a figure of speech
26.
(transitive) to imagine
27.
(transitive) (music)

28.
(intransitive) usually foll by in. to be included: his name figures in the article
29.
(intransitive) (informal) to accord with expectation; be logical: it figures that he wouldn’t come
30.
(informal) go figure, an expression of surprise, astonishment, wonder, etc
n.

early 13c., “visible form or appearance of a person,” from Old French figure (10c.) “shape, body, form, figure; symbol, allegory,” from Latin figura “a shape, form, figure,” from PIE *dheigh- “to form, build” (see dough); originally in English with meaning “numeral,” but sense of “form, likeness” is almost as old (mid-13c.).

Philosophical and scientific senses are from Latin figura being used to translate Greek skhema. The rhetorical use of figure dates to late 14c.; hence figure of speech (1824). Figure eight as a shape was originally figure of eight (c.1600).
v.

late 14c., “to represent” (in a picture); see figure (n.). Meaning “to shape into” is early 15c.; “to picture in the mind” is from c.1600; “to make an appearance” is c.1600. Meaning “work out a sum” is from 1833, American English. Related: Figured; figuring.

figure fig·ure (fĭg’yər)
n.

verb

Related Terms

ballpark figure, go figure