fig.

Noun

figure (plural figures)

1. A drawing or diagram conveying information.
   • For example, while Figure 1 shows information for 516 visitor groups, Figure 3 presents data for 1,625 individuals. A note above each graph or table specifies the information illustrated. ... For example, although Joshua Tree NP visitors returned 525 questionnaires, Figure 1 shows data for only 516...2004, Joshua Tree National Park 2004 Visitor Study
2. The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modelling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body.
   • a figure in bronze; a figure cut in marble
3. A person, thing, or action representative of another
   • Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible, there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures.2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21
4. The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career of a person.
   • He cut a sorry figure standing there in the rain.
5. (obsolete) Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous representation; splendour; show.
   • that he may live in figure and indulgence1729, William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life
6. A human figure, which dress or corset must fit to; the shape of a human body.
   • The origin of the corset is lost in remote antiquity. The figures of the early Egyptian women show clearly an artificial shape of the waist produced by some style of corset.1919, B. G. Jefferis, J. L. Nichols, Searchlights on Health

See all 29 meanings of figure

Adjective

figurative (comparative more figurative, superlative most figurative)

1. Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures.
   • Into an error of this kind they have fallen, who have claimed for the proverb, and made it one of its necessary conditions, that it should be a figurative expression. A moment’s consideration will be sufficient to disprove this. How many proverbs, such as Haste makes waste;—Honesty is the best...1861, Richard Chenevix Trench, chapter 1, in Proverbs and Their Lessons, Fifth edition, page 18

   Synonyms:

   metaphorical, symbolic, tropic, allegorical

2. Metaphorically so called.
3. With many figures of speech.
4. Emblematic, symbolic; representative, exemplative.
   • This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity.[1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)
5. Representing forms recognisable in life and clearly derived from real object sources, in contrast to abstract art.
   • They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form.1875-1886, John Addington Symonds, Renaissance in Italy