Definition of figure

• n. - The form of anything; shape; outline; appearance.
• n. - The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modeling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body; as, a figure in bronze; a figure cut in marble.
• n. - A pattern in cloth, paper, or other manufactured article; a design wrought out in a fabric; as, the muslin was of a pretty figure.
• n. - A diagram or drawing; made to represent a magnitude or the relation of two or more magnitudes; a surface or space inclosed on all sides; -- called superficial when inclosed by lines, and solid when inclosed by surface; any arrangement made up of points, lines, angles, surfaces, etc.
• n. - The appearance or impression made by the conduct or carrer of a person; as, a sorry figure.
• n. - Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous representation; splendor; show.
• n. - A character or symbol representing a number; a numeral; a digit; as, 1, 2,3, etc.
• n. - Value, as expressed in numbers; price; as, the goods are estimated or sold at a low figure.
• n. - A person, thing, or action, conceived of as analogous to another person, thing, or action, of which it thus becomes a type or representative.
• n. - A mode of expressing abstract or immaterial ideas by words which suggest pictures or images from the physical world; pictorial language; a trope; hence, any deviation from the plainest form of statement.
• n. - The form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
• n. - Any one of the several regular steps or movements made by a dancer.
• n. - A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses.
• n. - Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as a group of chords, which produce a single complete and distinct impression.
• n. - A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a strain or passage; a musical or motive; a florid embellishment.
• n. - To represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a determinate form; to shape.
• n. - To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.
• n. - To indicate by numerals; also, to compute.
• n. - To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.
• n. - To prefigure; to foreshow.
• n. - To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords.
• n. - To embellish.
• v. t. - To make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicious; as, the envoy figured at court.
• v. t. - To calculate; to contrive; to scheme; as, he is figuring to secure the nomination.