figurant /figˈū-rənt/ or figurante /fēg-oo-ränˈtā/ noun (Italy)

A ballet-dancer, one of those who form a background for the solo dancers

figˈūrate adjective

1. Of a certain definite form
2. Florid (music)

figūrāˈtion noun

1. The act of giving figure or form
2. Representation by or in figures or shapes, esp significant, typical or emblematic figures
3. A figure of this kind
4. Ornamentation with a design
5. Consistent use of a particular melodic or harmonic series of notes (music)
6. Florid treatment (music)

figˈūrative adjective

1. Representing by, containing or filled with figures of speech (rhetoric)
2. Metaphorical
3. Representing a figure
4. Emblematic or symbolic
5. Of a style of painting, sculpture, etc characterized by the realistic depiction of people, objects, etc (as opposed to abstract art)

figˈūratively adverb

figˈūrativeness noun

figˈured /-ərd/ adjective

1. Having a figure
2. Marked or adorned with figures
3. Delineated in a figure
4. In the form of figures

figˈūrine /-ēn or -ēnˈ/ noun

A small carved or moulded figure

figˈurist noun

A person who uses, or interprets, by figures

figurate numbers plural noun

A series of numbers such that if each be subtracted from the next, and the series so formed be treated in the same way, by a continuation of the process equal differences will ultimately be obtained

figˈure-caster noun

1. An astrologer (obsolete)
2. A person who prepares casts of figures

figˈure-casting noun

1. Astrology (obsolete)
2. The art of preparing casts of animal or other forms

figˈure-dance noun

A dance consisting of elaborate formalized movements

figured bass noun

A bass with numerals added to indicate chords

figˈurehead noun

1. The figure or bust under the bowsprit of a ship
2. A merely nominal head, eg of an organization or a government

adjective

Nominal, but lacking real power

figˈure-hugging adjective

Denoting a tight piece of clothing which emphasizes the contours of the body

figure of eight noun see under eight

figure of fun noun

A person who is an object of ridicule

figure of merit noun (elec eng)

A general parameter which describes the quality of performance of eg an instrument or a circuit

figure of speech noun

Any of various devices (such as simile or metaphor) for using words in such a way as to make a striking effect

figure skater noun

figure skating noun

Skating in prescribed patterns on ice

figˈure-weaving noun

The weaving of figured fancy fabrics

figˈurework noun

Counting or calculation using numbers

cut a figure

To make a bold impression through one's appearance

figure on

1. To count upon or expect
2. To plan (US)

go figure (US informal)

To make an effort to understand something puzzling