Part 4295

<hw>Fig"ure</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Figured</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Figuring</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[F. <ets>figurer</ets>, L. <ets>figurare</ets>, fr. <ets>figura</ets>. See <er>Figure</er>, <tt>n.</tt>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>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.</def>

<blockquote>If love, alas! be pain I bear,

<blockquote>No thought can <b>figure</b>, and no tongue declare.Prior.

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.</def>

<blockquote>The vaulty top of heaven <b>Figured</b> quite o'er with burning meteors. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To indicate by numerals; also, to compute.</def>

<blockquote>As through a crystal glass the <b>figured</b> hours are seen. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.</def>

<blockquote>Whose white vestments <b>figure</b> innocence. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>To prefigure; to foreshow.</def>

<blockquote>In this the heaven <b>figures</b> some event. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>6.</b> <fld>(Mus.)</fld> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords.</def> <sd>(b)</sd> <def>To embellish.</def>

<cs><col>To figure out</col>, <cd>to solve; to compute or find the result of.</cd> -- <col>To figure up</col>, <cd>to add; to reckon; to compute the amount of.</cd></cs>

<h1>Figure</h1> <Xpage=558>

<hw>Fig"ure</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicious; <as>as, the envoy <ex>figured</ex> at court</as>.</def>

<blockquote>Sociable, hospitable, eloquent, admired, <b>figuring</b> away brilliantly. <i>M. Arnold.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To calculate; to contrive; to scheme; <as>as, he is <ex>figuring</ex> to secure the nomination</as>.</def> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark>

<h1>Figured</h1> <Xpage=558>

<hw>Fig"ured</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Adorned with figures; marked with figures; <as>as, <ex>figured</ex> muslin</as>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Not literal; figurative.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Locke.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Mus.)</fld> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>Free and florid; <as>as, a <ex>figured</ex> descant</as>. See <er>Figurate</er>, 3.</def> <sd>(b)</sd> <def>Indicated or noted by figures.</def>

<cs><col>Figured bass</col>. <cd>See <cref>Continued bass</cref>, under <er>Continued</er>.</cd></cs>

<h1>Figurehead</h1> <Xpage=558>

<hw>Fig"ure*head`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Naut.)</fld> <def>The figure, statue, or bust, on the prow of a ship.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A person who allows his name to be used to give standing to enterprises in which he has no responsible interest or duties; a nominal, but not real, head or chief.</def>

<h1>Figurial</h1> <Xpage=558>

<hw>Fi*gu"ri*al</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Represented by figure or delineation.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>