- 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.
