figure

figure
\ \ [13] Figure comes via Old French from Latin figūraform, shape, figure’, a derivative of the same base (*fig-) as produced fingeremake, shape’ (whence English effigy, faint, feign, and fiction). Many of the technical Latin uses of the word, including ‘geometric figure’, are direct translations of Greek skhéma, which also meant literally ‘form, shape’, but the sense ‘numerical symbol’ is a later development.
\ \ Also from the base *fig- was derived Latin figmentumsomething created or invented’, from which English gets figment [15].
\ \ Cf.EFFIGY, FAINT, FEIGN, FICTION, FIGMENT

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • figure — [ figyr ] n. f. • Xe; lat. figura « forme » I ♦ 1 ♦ Vx Forme extérieure d un corps. ⇒ aspect. Des outils « dont il ne connaît ni l usage, ni le nom, ni la figure » (La Bruyère). ♢ Mod. N avoir plus figure humaine : être si mal en point que la… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • figuré — figure [ figyr ] n. f. • Xe; lat. figura « forme » I ♦ 1 ♦ Vx Forme extérieure d un corps. ⇒ aspect. Des outils « dont il ne connaît ni l usage, ni le nom, ni la figure » (La Bruyère). ♢ Mod. N avoir plus figure humaine : être si mal …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Figure — Fig ure (f[i^]g [ u]r; 135), n. [F., figure, L. figura; akin to fingere to form, shape, feign. See {Feign}.] 1. The form of anything; shape; outline; appearance. [1913 Webster] Flowers have all exquisite figures. Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • figure — FIGURE. s. f. La forme exterieure d une chose materielle. La figure du corps humain. cet animal, ce poisson est d une estrange figure, voilà une plante d une figure bien bizarre. une estrange figure d homme. une plaisante figure, une sotte figure …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Figure 8 — might refer to: *Figure 8, an expression describing a Lissajous curve that resembles the number 8 *Figure 8, a circle that turns around upon itself, on its side is a symbol for infinity *Figure eight knot, (also called a Flemish Knot), is a type… …   Wikipedia

  • figuré — figuré, ée (fi gu ré, rée) part. passé. 1°   Qui est fait selon une certaine figure.    Terme d anatomie. Élément anatomique figuré, se dit par opposition à éléments anatomiques amorphes ou matières amorphes.    Plan figuré d une maison, d une… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • Figure — may refer to:*A shape, drawing, or representation *Figure 8 *A person s figure *Miniature representation of something **Action figure, in arts *a number *a type of person, as in Christ figureWriting *a figure in writing is a type of floating… …   Wikipedia

  • figure — n 1 *number, numeral, digit, integer Analogous words: symbol, *character 2 *form, shape, configuration, conformation Analogous words: *outline, contour, profile, silhouette: *character, symbol, sign, mark …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • figure — [fig′yər, figyoor; ] often, esp. for v., & Brit always [, fig′ər] n. [ME < OFr < L figura < fingere, to form, shape: see DOUGH] 1. the outline or shape of something; form 2. the shape of the human body; human form 3. a person, esp. one… …   English World dictionary

  • Figure — Fig ure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Figured}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Figuring}.] [F. figurer, L. figurare, fr. figura. See {Figure}, n.] 1. To represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Figure 8 — Album par Elliott Smith Sortie 18 avril 2000 Durée 52:06 Genre Rock indépendant Producteur Elliott Smith Tom Rothrock Rob Schnapf …   Wikipédia en Français

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