Figurative

  • 1Figurative — 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 …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2Figurative — may refer to:*Figurative art *Figurative language *Neofigurative Art …

    Wikipedia

  • 3figurative — [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

  • 4figurative — index representative Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …

    Law dictionary

  • 5figurative — 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

  • 6figurative — [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

  • 7figurative — ► 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

  • 8figurative — [[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

  • 9figurative — 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

  • 10figurative — 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