释义 |
fig·ure I. \ˈfigyə(r), usual in Brit speech & frequent in US speech but regarded by many in the US as substand -gə(r); “figur-” followed by a vowel other than “e” is usually or often pronounced with y in Brit speech\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin figura, from fig- (stem of fingere to shape, form, devise, feign) + -ura -ure — more at dough 1. a. : a number symbol (as one of the arabic numerals) : numeral, digit b. figures plural : figures used in arithmetical calculating < figures can be made to prove anything > : arithmetical calculations < he is good at figures > c. : a written or printed character (as a letter, mathematical symbol, or cipher) d. : value especially as expressed in numbers : price, amount, sum < the house sold at a low figure > e. : a numeral of a continuo in music 2. a. : a body apparent chiefly in outline : an object significant or noticeable only in its form < a figure moving slowly in the dusk > b. : a surface shape in a work of art visually appreciable and separable from its surroundings < figure-ground relationship > c. : the part of a total stimulus situation which is most clearly perceived by an observer and to which he responds 3. a. : the representation of a form (as by drawing, painting, modeling, carving, embroidering); specifically : a representation of the human form especially in the nude b. : a diagram or pictorial illustration (as a linecut or photoreproduction) augmenting text matter (as of a book) — abbr. fig. 4. : a person, thing, or action conceived of as analogous to another person, thing, or action of which it is a type or representative < Adam … who is the figure of him that was to come — Rom 5:14 (Authorized Version) > 5. : a diagram made to represent any definite combination of geometric elements 6. : an imagined form : phantasm < a figure of idle dreaming > 7. a. : a figure of speech: as (1) : metaphor (2) : simile b. : an intentional deviation from the ordinary form or syntactical relation of words (as in syncope) 8. a. : the two-dimensional proportions of a body or object < the figure of a ship on the horizon > b. : the shape of the human body < a woman with a good figure > 9. : a diagram or scheme representing the heavens at a given moment (as at the moment of birth) : horoscope 10. : the form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term — compare mood 11. a. : a pattern or design (as in nature or in a cloth, paper, or other manufactured article) wrought out often repetitively in systematic arrangement < the beautiful figures of crystals > < a polka-dot figure > b. : the pattern produced on a wood surface by irregular coloration and by sawing through growth rings, knots, burls, and other deviations from regular grain; especially : any such wood surface of decorative value 12. a. : consequence in station or mode of living : rank, grandeur < a person of figure > b. : conspicuous part or appearance : impressive effect — often used with cut or make < the couple cut quite a figure > c. : appearance made or impression produced < a person who always presented a sorry figure > 13. a. : a series of movements that form one unit of a dance (as bowing to partners in a square dance) b. : an outline representation of a form traced by means of a series of evolutions (as with skates on an ice surface or by an airplane in the air) 14. : a prominent personality : personage < whether people are impressed with you as a figure or a person — Anthony Perkins > 15. : a short coherent group of notes or tones or chords constituting a germ which by varied repetition and association with other figures may grow into a phrase, theme, or accompaniment or entire musical composition — compare motive Synonyms: see form, number II. verb (figured ; figured ; figuring \-gyəriŋ, -g(ə)riŋ\ ; figures) Etymology: Middle English figuren, from Middle French figurer, from Latin figurare, from figura transitive verb 1. a. : to represent by or as if by a figure : portray < an emblem wherein the apostles were figured > b. archaic : to represent or express by a metaphor : symbolize c. obsolete : foreshadow 2. a. : to adorn or embellish with a pattern or design < figured cloth > b. (1) : to write figures over or under (the bass) in order to indicate the accompanying chords of a musical composition (2) : to embellish in music with passing notes or figures 3. a. : to indicate or represent by numerals < water depth figured along a wharf piling > b. : to provide with numerals < a watch dial figured in luminescent green > 4. : to give the requisite shape to (as a mirror, lens, or prism) 5. a. (1) : compute, reckon < figure expenses > specifically : add — usually used with up < figure up an account > (2) : to determine or ascertain — usually used with out < figure a way out of a difficulty > b. (1) : solve — usually used with out < figure a problem out > (2) : conclude, decide < he figured there was no use in further effort > (3) slang : to perceive the true makeup of : understand < he figured the whole scheme right away > 6. a. : regard, consider < figure himself a good candidate > b. : think, assume intransitive verb 1. : to make a figure : be or appear important < the vice-president really figured in the company > 2. : to perform a figure in dancing 3. : compute, calculate < a carpenter figuring on a board with a stub of pencil > 4. slang : to seem rational, normal, or expected : be understandable < sure, that figures > • - figure on |