To figure out

To figure out
Figure Fig"ure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Figured}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Figuring}.] [F. figurer, L. figurare, fr. figura. See {Figure}, n.] 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. [1913 Webster]

If love, alas! be pain I bear, [1913 Webster]

No thought can figure, and no tongue declare.Prior. [1913 Webster]

2. To embellish with design; to adorn with figures. [1913 Webster]

The vaulty top of heaven Figured quite o'er with burning meteors. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. To indicate by numerals; also, to compute. [1913 Webster]

As through a crystal glass the figured hours are seen. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize. [1913 Webster]

Whose white vestments figure innocence. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. To prefigure; to foreshow. [1913 Webster]

In this the heaven figures some event. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. (Mus.) (a) To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords. (b) To embellish. [1913 Webster]

{To figure out}, to solve; to compute or find the result of.

{To figure up}, to add; to reckon; to compute the amount of. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • figure out — figure (someone) out to understand why someone behaves the way they do. I ve never been able to figure her out. Could anyone ever figure out my parents? …   New idioms dictionary

  • figure out something — figure out (something) to understand something by thinking about it. After I figured out that I would earn only eighty cents an hour, I said forget it. She spent an hour trying to install the software, but John finally figured it out. Related… …   New idioms dictionary

  • figure out — (something) to understand something by thinking about it. After I figured out that I would earn only eighty cents an hour, I said forget it. She spent an hour trying to install the software, but John finally figured it out. Related vocabulary:… …   New idioms dictionary

  • figure out — index ascertain, calculate, conceive (comprehend), construe (comprehend), find (discover) …   Law dictionary

  • figure out — verb find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of (Freq. 6) did you solve the problem? Work out your problems with the boss this unpleasant situation isn t going to work itself out did you get it? Did you get my… …   Useful english dictionary

  • figure out — phrasal verb [transitive] Word forms figure out : present tense I/you/we/they figure out he/she/it figures out present participle figuring out past tense figured out past participle figured out 1) to be able to understand something or to solve a… …   English dictionary

  • figure out — UK US figure out Phrasal Verb with figure({{}}/ˈfɪgər/ verb ► to understand or solve something: figure out how/why/what, etc. »If they know the cause of the problem, they might be able to figure out how to prevent it happening again. »It takes… …   Financial and business terms

  • figure out — {v.} 1. To find an answer by thinking about (some problem or difficulty); solve. * /Tom couldn t figure out the last problem on the arithmetic test./ * /Sam couldn t figure out how to print a program until the teacher showed him how./ * /Mary… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • figure out — {v.} 1. To find an answer by thinking about (some problem or difficulty); solve. * /Tom couldn t figure out the last problem on the arithmetic test./ * /Sam couldn t figure out how to print a program until the teacher showed him how./ * /Mary… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • figure\ out — v 1. To find an answer by thinking about (some problem or difficulty); solve. Tom couldn t figure out the last problem on the arithmetic test. Sam couldn t figure out how to print a program until the teacher showed him how. Mary couldn t figure… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • figure out — PHRASAL VERB If you figure out a solution to a problem or the reason for something, you succeed in solving it or understanding it. [INFORMAL] [V P wh/that] It took them about one month to figure out how to start the equipment... [V P n (not… …   English dictionary

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