fighting 
2. Of or pertaining to battle ; characteristic of 
a disposition to fight. 
In the hurry of human events that marks our modern 
wars, taenjtgnting qualities, even of the best, have little 
to do iu bringing about great results. 
A'. A. Sett., CXLII. 468. 
3. Occupied in war; being the scene of war: 
as, & fighting field. 
fighting-cock (fi'ting-kok), . 1. A game-cock 
(whichsee). 2. A pugnacious fellow. [Slang, 
U. S.] To live like fighting-cocks, to be well Jed; 
indulge iu high living. [Slang.] 
They, of course, lived far better than the rest of the 
court indeed, as the phrase goes, like fighting cocki. 
J. H. Wright, quoted in Ribton-Turner's Vagrants and 
[Vagrancy, p. 652. 
fighting-fish (fi'ting-fish), n. A Siamese fish, 
Betta pugnax, of the family Osphromenidte : so 
called from its pugnacity. It is a small anabautoid 
fish, with a short, spineless dorsal I'm on the middle of the 
back, a long anal, and ventrals of five rays, of which the 
outer is elongated. In Siaui these fishes are kept in glass 
globes for the purpose of fighting, and an extravagant 
amount of gambling takes place upon the results of the 
fights. When the fish is quiet, its colors are dull ; but when 
it is irritated, as by the sight of another fish, or of its own 
reflection in a mirror, it glows with metallic splendor, the 
projecting gill-membrane waving like a black frill about 
the throat. 
fighting-sandpiper (fi' ting -sand 'pi -per), n. 
The run, Machetes pugnax. 
fighting-stopper (fi'tmg-stop'er), n, Naiit., a 
contrivance, consisting of two wooden deadeyes 
and a rope lanyard, for quickly 
securing any standing rigging 
shot away in action, 
fightwara (fit'ward), adv. To a 
battle. [Rare.] 
Tofafhtward they go as to feastward. 
Fortnightly Rev., N. S., XLIII. 168. 
fightwitet (fit'wit), n. [Bepr. 
A.$.fyhttcite, <feoht, fight, + wite, 
fine.] In old law, a fine imposed 
for disturbing the peace by a 
quarrel. 
Figites (fij'i-tez), . [NL. (La- 
treille, 1802), prob. irreg. < F. 
figue, fig (see fig 2 ), + -ites.~\ A 
genus of parasitic gall-flies, of 
the hymenopterous family Cyni- 
pidce, giving name to the family 
Figitidce or subfamily Figitinte, 
having the scutellum unarmed 
and the parapsidal grooves dis- 
tinct. Two North American and 16 been shot away. 
European species have been described, 
all parasitic upon dipterous insects, so far as known. F. 
scutellaris attacks the larvae of flesh-flies. 
Figitidffi (fi-jit'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Figites + 
-idee.] A family of parasitic hymenopterous 
insects, resembling the chalcids in some re- 
spects, but more nearly related to and often 
merged in Cynipidts, represented by the genus 
Figites and its allies. It is characterized by having 
the second segment of the body less than half as long as 
the abdomen, and the ovipositor retracted. 
Figitinae (fij-i-ti'ne), . pi. [NL., < Figites + 
-ince.] A subfamily of Cynipida, typified by the 
genus Figites, containing 6 genera of wide dis- 
tribution. With the Allotriinre it includes all the para- 
.sitic cynipids, and it is distinguished from that subfamily 
by the quadrate cupuliform or spined scutellum. 
fig-leaf (fig'lef), n. [ME. not found ; AS. ficledf, 
< fie (in comp.) + leaf, leaf.] The leaf of a 
fig-tree; figuratively, a thin or partial cover- 
ing, in allusion to the first covering of Adam 
and Eve; a makeshift. 
And they [Adam and Eve] sewed Jig-leaves together, and 
made themselves aprons. Gen. iii. 7. 
What pitiful fig-leaves, what senseless and ridiculous 
shifts, are these ! South, Sermons, II. 29B. 
figlint (fig'lin), n. [For "figling; <fiff 2 + -lingl.] 
A small fig. 
I flnde in my selfe daily a great desire to these flgges, or 
tatfiglins. Benvenuto, Passengers' Dialogues (1612). 
figment (fig'ment), n. [< LL. figmentum, any- 
thing made, a fiction, < fingere, make, form, 
feign: see fiction, feign.'] 1 . Something feigned 
or imagined; an invention; a fiction. 
Del. I heard he was to meet your lordship here. 
Punt. You heard no figment, sir. 
B. Jonson, Every Man out of his Humour, iv. 
Numa's nightly conferences with a goddess was a fig- 
ment for which the people of Rome had his word only. 
Bp. Atterbury, Sermons, II. i. 
The pretence of any plan for changing the essential 
principle of our self-governing system is a figment which 
its contrivers laugh over among themselves. 
0. IP. Holmes, Essays, p. 110. 
2. In metaph., the opposite of a real thing; that 
the characters of which are arbitrary, depend- 
2208 
ing on the thought of some particular person 
or persons. 
figmental (fig'men-tal), a. [< figment + -/.] 
Of the nature of a fig'inent ; feigned ; imagined. 
There being a memory also of these fiffinental impres- 
sions, [I demand] how they can be seated upon the brain, 
the seat of memory. 
Dr. II. More, Antidote against Atheism, x., App. 
figot (fe'go), . Same as fico. 
fig-peckert (fig'pek"er), n. Same as fig-eater, 1. 
See beccafico. 
fig's-endt (figz'end), w. A thing of small value ; 
a trifle. 
Rod. She is full of most blessed condition. 
logo. Blessed fig's end! Shak., Othello, ii. 1. 
I will not give &fig's-end for it. 
Withals, Diet. (ed. 1634), p. 557. 
fig-shell (fig'shel), n. A popular name of the 
shells of the various species 
of the genus Pyrula or Ficu- 
la, so called from their pyri- 
form or fig-like shape. 
Fig Sunday (fig sun'da). 
The Sunday before Easter. 
fig-tree (fig'tre), n. [< ME. 
fygtre. figetre, < fig, fyg, + 
ire; also, earlier, fictre, fic- 
trew, < AS. fictreow (= Icel. 
fiktre = Sw. fikontriid = 
Dan. figentra), < fie (in 
comp.), fig, + tre6w, tree.] 
A tree of the genus Ficus, 
ordinarily F. Carica. See 
Ficus and./i</ 2 . 
Whoso keepeth the Jig tree shall 
eat the fruit thereof. 
Prov. xxvii. 18. 
To dwell under one's vine and fig-tree. See dwell. 
figulate, figulated (fig'u-lat, -la-ted), a. [< LL. 
figulatus, pp. of figulare, form, fashion, < L. 
figulus, a potter, < fingere, form, mold, fashion 
(out of clay, etc. ), feign, etc. : see fictile, feign."] 
1. Molded by hand, or as in soft material. 2. 
Composed of earthenware : as, figulate vessels. 
figuline (fig'u-lin), n. [= F. figuline = Sp. figu- 
lino, a., =It. figulina, n., figulino, a., < L. figu- 
Unus, contr. figlinus, of or belonging to a pot- 
ter, potter's, fern. figUna, a pottery, neut. figli- 
num, an earthen vessel, a crock, < figulus, a 
potter: see figulate.] 1. Any vessel or object 
made of potters' clay, especially a decorative 
or artistic object. 2. Potters' clay Figuline 
rustique, a name given to the decorative pottery of Ber- 
nard Palissy, especially that which is covered with mod- 
els of fish, reptiles, and the like, in high relief. 5. JT. Spec. 
Exh. Cat., 1246. 
figurability (fig*u-ra-bil'i-ti), n. [= F.figu 
bilite = Pg. figitrabiiidade= It. figurabilita; 
figurable + -ity.~] Capability of being repre- 
sented by a figure or diagram. 
Figurability is reckoned one of the essential properties 
of matter. Hint. 
figurable (fig'u-ra-bl), a. [= F. figurable = 
Pr. Sp. figurable = It. figurabile; as figure + 
-able.] Capable of being brought to or of re- 
taining a certain fixed form or shape. 
Lead is figurable, but not water. Johnson. 
figural (fig'u-ral), a. [< OF. figitral, figurel = 
Sp. Pg. figural = It. figurale, < LL. *figuralis 
(in deriv. figuralitas, etc.), < L. figura, figure.] 
1. Represented by figure or delineation ; con- 
sisting of figures. 
Incongruities have been committed by geographers in 
the figural resemblance of several regions. 
Sir T. Browne. 
We also see in the wall-paintings figural representations 
a bull, on which a man dances like an equestrian per- 
former. JV. A. Rev., CXXXIX. 526. 
2. In music, same &afigiirate, 3. Figural number. 
Same S& figurate number (which see, under figurate). 
figurant, figurante (fig'u-rant. fig-u-rant'), n. 
[F., masc. and fern. (= Pg. It. figurante) ppr. 
of figurer, figure: see figure, ?.] 1. One who 
dances in the figures of the ballet. [In this 
sense usually with reference to a woman, and 
in the feminine form, figurante] 
Figurantes is the term applied in the ballet to those 
dancers that do not come forward alone, but dance in 
troops, and also serve to nil up the scene and form a back- 
ground for the solo dancers. Chambers'^ Encyc., IV. 321. 
2. An accessory character on the stage, who 
figures in its scenes, but has nothing to say. 
M. Sardon is a born stage-setter, but with a leaning to 
"great machines, " numbers otfiauranti, mud magnificence. 
The Century, XXXV. 544. 
Hence 3. One who figures in any scene with- 
out taking a prominent part. 
figurate (fig'u-rat), a. [= F. figure? = Sp. Pg. 
figurado = It. figurato, < L. figuratus, pp. of 
ura- 
as 
figurative 
figurare, form, fashion, shape, < figura, a form, 
shape: see figure, n.] 1. Of a certain deter- 
minate form or shape ; resembling something 
of a determinate figure: as, figurate stones 
(stones or fossils resembling shells). 
Plants are eil figurate and determinate, which inanimate 
bodies are nut. Bacon, Nat. Hist., OUi. 
2f. Involving a figure of speech ; figurative. 
Thei enterpreted that in these woordes of Jesus there 
hue iriuely hidden some figurate & mistical manier of 
speaking. J. Udall, On Luke xviii. 
3. In music, characterized by the use of passing- 
notes; florid: opposed to simple: as, figurate 
counterpoint. Also figural, figurative, figured. 
-Figurate number, a whole number belonging to a 
series having unity for it* first term, and for its first differ- 
ences another series of figurate numbers or else a constant 
number. Thus, the series 1, 8. 33, 98, 238, 504, etc., is a 
series of flgurate numbers, for the fourth differences form 
the arithmetical progression 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, etc. The 
order of a series of flgurate numbers is the order of the 
constant difference ; the class of the series is the value of 
this constant difference. Thus, the series 1, 8, 33, etc., is 
of the flfth order and third class. Figurate numbers were 
so called by NicomachuB, because they are the numbers 
of points which form regular figures according to certain 
ruli-s. 
figurate (fig'u-rat), v. t. ; pret. and pp.figurated, 
ppr. figurating. [< L. figuratus, pp. of figurare, 
figure: see figure, v.] To figure or represent. 
The glowe worme figurates my valour, which shineth 
brightest in most darke, dismal, and horrid atchievements. 
Marston, Antonio and Mellida, I., v. 1. 
figurated (fig'u-ra-ted), a. Same as figurate, 1 
and 3. 
figurately (fig'u-rat-li), adv. 1. In a figurate 
manner. 2f. Figuratively. 
Now if auy man be superstitious that hee dare not vn- 
derstand this thyng as figurately spoken, then may he 
verifle it vpon them that God raysed from naturall death, 
as he did Lazarus. Frith, Works, p. 35. 
figuration (fig-u-ra'shon), . [= OF. figuration, 
figuration, F. figuration = Pr. figurado = Pg. 
figuracSo = It. figurazione, < L. figuratio(n-), 
< figurare: see figurate.] 1. Formation as to 
figure or outline; external conformation; de- 
termination to a certain f orm : as, the figuration 
of crystals. 
Neither doth the wind (as farre as it carrieth a voice) 
with the motion thereof confound any of the delicate and 
articulate figurations of the air, in variety of words. 
Bacon, Nat. Hist., 521. 
In the form, I will first consider the general figuration, 
and then the several members. 
Sir H. Walton, Reliquiffi, p. 14. 
Nor is it only the external figuration of these gems, but 
the internal texture, which favours our hypothesis. 
Boyle, Origin and Virtues of Gems. 1. 
2. The act or process of figuring ; a shaping into 
form, or a marking or impressing with a figure 
or figures. 
The figuration of materials by abrasion. 
Byrne, Artisan's Handbook, p. 70. 
3. In music: (a) In strict composition, such as 
fugue-writing, the introduction of passing-notes 
into the counterpoint. (6) In general compo- 
sition, the process, act, or result of rhythmi- 
cally, melodically, or contrapuntally varying 
or elaborating a theme by adding passing-notes 
or accompaniment figures, or even by trans- 
forming single tones into florid passages, (c) 
The preparation of a figured bass (which see, 
under bass 3 ). 4. In philol., change in the form 
of words without change of sense. 5f. Figura- 
tive representation ; prefiguration. 
Figurations of our Lord's passion and sacrifice. 
Waterland, Works, VIII. 333. 
figurative (fig'u-ra-tiv), a. [= OF. figuratif, F. 
figuratif= Pr.figuratiu = Sp. Pg. It. figuration, 
< LL. figurativus, figurative (of speech), < L. 
figuratus, pp. of figurare, form, fashion, ima- 
gine, fancy, adorn with figures of speech, < figu- 
ra, & figure: see figure.] 1. Representing by 
means of a figure; manifesting or suggesting by 
resemblance; typical; emblematic. 
This, they will say, was figurative, and served by God's 
appointment but for a time, to shadow out the true ever- 
lasting glory of a more divine sanctity. 
Hooter, Eccles. Polity. 
In spite of its symbolism, what he wrought was never 
mechanically figurative, but gifted with the independence 
of its own beauty, vital with an inbreathed spirit of life. 
J. A. Symonds, Italy and Greece, p. 252. 
2. Of the nature of or involving a figure of 
rhetoric ; used in a metaphorical or tropical 
sense ; metaphorical ; not literal. 
What have become with us figurative expressions re- 
main with men in lower states literal descriptions. 
H. Spencer, Prin. of Sociol., 79. 
3. Abounding with figures of speech ; ornate ; 
flowery; florid: as, a description highly figura- 
tive. 
