Figurative

Figurative
Figurative Fig"ur*a*tive, a. [L. figurativus: cf. F. figuratif. See {Figurative}.] 1. Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical; representative. [1913 Webster]

This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]

2. Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; -- applied to words and expressions. [1913 Webster]

3. Abounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description. [1913 Webster]

4. Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See {Figure}, n., 2. [1913 Webster]

They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form. --J. A. Symonds. [1913 Webster]

{Figurative counterpoint} or {Figurative descant}. See under {Figurate}. -- {Fig"ur*a*tive*ly}, adv. -- {Fig"ur*a*tive*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Figurative — may refer to:*Figurative art *Figurative language *Neofigurative Art …   Wikipedia

  • figurative — [fig′yoor ə tiv΄, fig′yərə tiv] adj. [ME < OFr figuratif < LL figurativus < L figuratus, pp. of figurare, to form, fashion < figura, FIGURE] 1. representing by means of a figure, symbol, or likeness 2. having to do with figure drawing …   English World dictionary

  • figurative — index representative Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • figurative — late 14c., from O.Fr. figuratif metaphorical, from L.L. figurativus, from figurat , pp. stem of figurare (see FIGURE (Cf. figure)). Of speech, language, etc., involving figures of speech, from 1845. Related: Figuratively …   Etymology dictionary

  • figurative — [adj] not literal, but symbolic allegorical, denotative, descriptive, emblematic, emblematical, fanciful, florid, flowery, illustrative, metaphoric, metaphorical, ornate, pictorial, poetical, representative, signifying, typical; concepts 267,582… …   New thesaurus

  • figurative — ► ADJECTIVE 1) not using words literally; metaphorical. 2) Art representing forms that are recognizably derived from life. DERIVATIVES figuratively adverb figurativeness noun …   English terms dictionary

  • figurative — [[t]fɪ̱gərətɪv, AM gjər [/t]] 1) ADJ: usu ADJ n If you use a word or expression in a figurative sense, you use it with a more abstract or imaginative meaning than its ordinary literal one. ...an event that will change your route in both the… …   English dictionary

  • figurative — Figurate Fig ur*ate, a. [L. figuratus, p. p. of figurare. See {Figure}.] 1. Of a definite form or figure. [1913 Webster] Plants are all figurate and determinate, which inanimate bodies are not. Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. Figurative; metaphorical.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • figurative — adjective Date: 14th century 1. a. representing by a figure or resemblance ; emblematic b. of or relating to representation of form or figure in art < figurative sculpture > 2. a. expressing one thing in terms normally denoting another with which …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • figurative — figuratively, adv. figurativeness, n. /fig yeuhr euh tiv/, adj. 1. of the nature of or involving a figure of speech, esp. a metaphor; metaphorical; not literal: a figurative expression. 2. metaphorically so called: His remark was a figurative… …   Universalium

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