Definitions of figure in various dictionaries:
noun -
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
noun -
alternative names for the body of a human being
noun -
one of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration
noun -
a model of a bodily form (especially of a person)
noun -
a well-known or notable person
noun -
a combination of points and lines and planes that form a visible palpable shape
noun -
an amount of money expressed numerically
noun -
the impression produced by a person
noun -
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
noun -
language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
noun -
a unitary percept having structure and coherence that is the object of attention and that stands out against a ground
noun -
a decorative or artistic work
noun -
a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating
verb -
judge to be probable
verb -
be or play a part of or in
verb -
imagine
verb -
make a mathematical calculation or computation
verb -
understand
A written or printed symbol representing something other than a letter, especially a number.
An amount represented in numbers: sold for a large figure.
A geometric form consisting of any combination of points, lines, or planes: A triangle is a plane figure.
The outline, form, or silhouette of a thing.
The shape or form of a human body.
An indistinct object or shape: saw figures dashing down the street.
A person, especially a well-known one: a famous historical figure.
A person’s public image or presence: became a tragic figure overnight.
Impression or appearance made: cuts a dashing figure.
A person, an animal, or an object that symbolizes something.
A pictorial or sculptural representation, especially of the human body.
A diagram.
A design or pattern, as in a textile: silk with a paisley figure.
An illustration printed from an engraved plate or block.
A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.
A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.
A brief melodic or harmonic unit often constituting the base for a larger phrase or structure.
Any one of the forms that a syllogism can take, depending on the position of the middle term.
To calculate with numbers.
To make a likeness of; depict.
To adorn with a design or figures.
To indicate the chordal structure of (a bass line of single notes) with a sequence of conventionalized numbers.
Informal.
To conclude, believe, or predict: I never figured that this would happen.
To consider or regard: figured them as con artists.
To calculate; compute.
To be or seem important or prominent.
To be pertinent or involved: politicians who figured in the scandal.
To seem reasonable or expected: It figures.
To depend on: We figured on your support.
To take into consideration; expect: I figured on an hour’s delay.
To plan: We figure on leaving at noon.
To discover or decide: Let’s figure out a way to help.
The central meaning shared by these noun s is “an element or a component in a decorative composition”: a tapestry with a floral figure; a rug with a geometric design; a brooch with a fanciful and intricate device; a scarf with a heart motif; fabric with a plaid pattern.