Figure /(fĭg"ū̇r; 135)/

1. The form of anything; shape; outline; appearance.

   Flowers have all exquisite figures.

2. 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.

   A coin that bears the figure of an angel.

3. A pattern in cloth, paper, or other manufactured article; a design wrought out in a fabric; as, the muslin was of a pretty figure.
4. 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 surfaces; any arrangement made up of points, lines, angles, surfaces, etc. (Geom.)
5. The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career of a person; as, a sorry figure.

   I made some figure there.

   Gentlemen of the best figure in the county.

6. Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous representation; splendor; show.

   That he may live in figure and indulgence.

7. A character or symbol representing a number; a numeral; a digit; as, 1, 2,3, etc.
8. Value, as expressed in numbers; price; as, the goods are estimated or sold at a low figure. [Colloq.]

   With nineteen thousand a year at the very lowest figure.

9. A person, thing, or action, conceived of as analogous to another person, thing, or action, of which it thus becomes a type or representative.

   Who is the figure of Him that was to come.

10. 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. Also called a figure of speech. (Rhet.)

    To represent the imagination under the figure of a wing.

11. The form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term. (Logic)
12. Any one of the several regular steps or movements made by a dancer. (Dancing)
13. A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses. (Astrol.)
14. Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as a group of chords, which produce a single complete and distinct impression. (Music)
15. A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a strain or passage; a musical phrase or motive; a florid embellishment.

imp. & p. p. Figured; p. pr. & vb. n. Figuring

1. 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.

   If love, alas! be pain I bear, No thought can figure, and no tongue declare.

2. To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.

   The vaulty top of heaven Figured quite o'er with burning meteors.

3. To indicate by numerals; also, to compute.

   As through a crystal glass the figured hours are seen.

4. To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.

   Whose white vestments figure innocence.

5. To prefigure; to foreshow.

   In this the heaven figures some event.

6. To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords. (Mus.)

1. To make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicious; as, the envoy figured at court.

   Sociable, hospitable, eloquent, admired, figuring away brilliantly.

2. To calculate; to contrive; to scheme; as, he is figuring to secure the nomination. [Colloq.]