figure

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating

   I made the best score on compulsory figures.

2. 2
   noun

   a model of a bodily form, especially of a person

   I made a figure of my favorite footballer.

3. 3
   noun

   the impression produced by a person

   Their figure was striking against the new fallen snow.

4. 4
   noun

   an amount of money expressed numerically

   a figure of $17 was suggested

5. 5
   verb

   understand

   We didn't figure them.

6. 6
   verb

   be or play a part of or in

   Elections figure prominently in every government program

7. 7
   noun

   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 respondents.

8. 8
   noun

   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

Etymology

From Middle English figure, borrowed from Old French figure, from Latin figūra (“form, shape, form of a word, a figure of speech, Late Latin a sketch, drawing”), from fingō (“to form, shape, mold, fashion”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeyǵʰ- (“to mold, shape, form, knead”). Cognate with Ancient Greek τεῖχος (teîkhos), Sanskrit देग्धि (dégdhi), Old English dāg (“dough”). More at dough. Doublet of figura.