| 释义 |
fig·u·ra·tive
\ˈfig(y)ərə]d.iv, -grə], ]tiv\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French figuratif, from Late Latin figurativus, from Latin figuratus + -ivus -ive
1. : representing or represented by a figure or resemblance
< the figurative art of the humanistic tradition — Herbert Read >
2. : transferred in sense from literal or plain to abstract or hypothetical (as by the expression of one thing in terms of another with which it can be regarded as analogous) : metaphorical
< figurative language >
< in a figurative sense, civilization marches up and down — Lewis Mumford >
3. : characterized by figures of speech or elaborate expression
< a figurative description >
< a figurative author >
• fig·u·ra·tive·ly \]d.ə̇vlē, ]tə̇v-, -li; ˈfigər]\ adverb
• fig·u·ra·tive·ness \-ivnə̇s\ noun -es |