释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024fig•ure /ˈfɪgyɚ/USA pronunciation n., v., -ured, -ur•ing. n. [countable] - Mathematicsa symbol for a number.
- Mathematicsan amount or value expressed in numbers:a figure that was more than we could afford.
- figures, [plural] the use of numbers in calculating;
arithmetic:good at figures. - a written symbol other than a letter.
- the form or shape of something;
outline:a dim figure in the dark room. - the human bodily form or frame:a graceful figure.
- a character or personage, esp. one of distinction:a well-known figure.
- the appearance or impression made by a person or sometimes a thing:a mother figure for the human race.
- a diagram, illustration, map, or drawing in a text:In the first figure you can see the statistics for the five most populous states.
- Sporta movement or series of movements in skating or dancing.
v. - to compute or calculate:[~ + (up +) object]Let's figure (up) the total and split the bill.
- Informal Termsto conclude, judge, reason, or think:[not: be + ~-ing* ~ + (that) clause]I figured that you wanted me to stay.
- to be or appear in, esp. in an important, obvious, or prominent way:[no object]Your name figures in my report.
- Informal Terms(of a situation, act, request, etc.) to be logical, expected, or reasonable:[not: be + ~-ing* it + ~;no object]It figures: when I have the time to travel, I don't have the money.
- Informal Terms figure on, [ ~ + on + obj] to count or rely on;
take into consideration; plan on:We had figured on Dad being able to baby-sit. - Informal Terms figure out:
- to understand;
solve: [~ + object + out]I can't figure her out; one minute she's happy, the next, sad.[~ + out + object]I can't figure out the directions.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024fig•ure (fig′yər; esp. Brit. fig′ər),USA pronunciation n., v., -ured, -ur•ing. n. - a numerical symbol, esp. an Arabic numeral.
- an amount or value expressed in numbers.
- figures, the use of numbers in calculating;
arithmetic:to be poor at figures. - a written symbol other than a letter.
- form or shape, as determined by outlines or exterior surfaces:to be round, square, or cubical in figure.
- the bodily form or frame:a slender or graceful figure.
- an individual bodily form or a person with reference to form or appearance:A tall figure stood in the doorway.
- a character or personage, esp. one of distinction:a well-known figure in society.
- a person's public image or presence:a controversial political figure.
- the appearance or impression made by a person or sometimes a thing:to make quite a figure in financial circles; to present a wretched figure of poverty.
- a representation, pictorial or sculptured, esp. of the human form:The frieze was bordered with the figures of men and animals.
- an emblem, type, or symbol:The dove is a figure of peace.
- [Rhet.]a figure of speech.
- Biologya textural pattern, as in cloth or wood:draperies with an embossed silk figure.
- a distinct movement or division of a dance.
- a movement, pattern, or series of movements in skating.
- [Music.]a short succession of musical notes, as either a melody or a group of chords, that produces a single complete and distinct impression.
- [Geom.]a combination of geometric elements disposed in a particular form or shape:The circle, square, and polygon are plane figures. The sphere, cube, and polyhedron are solid figures.
- [Logic.]the form of a categorical syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
- [Optics.]the precise curve required on the surface of an optical element, esp. the mirror or correcting plate of a reflecting telescope.
- Furniturethe natural pattern on a sawed wood surface produced by the intersection of knots, burls, growth rings, etc.
- a phantasm or illusion.
- cut a figure. See cut (defs. 42, 44b).
v.t. - to compute or calculate (often fol. by up):to figure up a total.
- to express in figures.
- to mark or adorn with a design or pattern.
- to portray by speech or action.
- to represent or express by a figure of speech.
- to represent by a pictorial or sculptured figure, a diagram, or the like;
picture or depict; trace (an outline, silhouette, etc.). - [Informal.]to conclude, judge, reason, or think about:I figured that you wanted me to stay.
- [Music.]
- to embellish with passing notes or other decorations.
- to write figures above or below (a bass part) to indicate accompanying chords.
v.i. - to compute or work with numerical figures.
- to be or appear, esp. in a conspicuous or prominent way:His name figures importantly in my report.
- [Informal.](of a situation, act, request, etc.) to be logical, expected, or reasonable:He quit the job when he didn't get a raise—it figured.
- figure in, to add in:Figure in rent and utilities as overhead.
- figure on, [Informal.]
- to count or rely on.
- to take into consideration;
plan on:You had better figure on running into heavy traffic leaving the city.
- figure out, [Informal.]
- to understand;
solve:We couldn't figure out where all the money had gone. - to calculate;
compute.
- figure up, [Informal.]to total:The bill figures up to exactly $1000.
- Latin figūra shape, trope, equivalent. to fig- (base of fingere to shape) + -ūra -ure
- Old French
- Middle English 1175–1225
fig′ur•a•ble, adj. fig′ure•less, adj. fig′ur•er, n. - 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged number.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged sum, total; price.
- 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See form.
- 8.See corresponding entry in Unabridged personality.
- 24.See corresponding entry in Unabridged reckon.
|