figure

Everyday

1. A figure is a number written as a sign, like 7 or 25. tree →
2. A figure is a shape, like a triangle or a square. tree →
3. A figure is the shape of a person, or a small toy model of a person: an action figure. tree →
4. A figure in a book is a picture or a diagram. tree →
5. To figure out is to find the answer or to understand. tree →
6. To figure in a story means to appear or play a part in it. tree →

In the lessons

mostly «action figures», toys counted; «figure out» means find the answer; in maths, plane figures are flat shapes; phrases: «figure out», «action figure», «in figures» (written as digits), «see Figure 2»

Examples

• Jerry had 7 action figures. tree →
• He added 2 more figures. tree →
• Can you figure out how many he has now? tree →
• How many more books than figures are on the shelf? tree →
• Write the number in figures: 25. tree →
• A square is a figure with four equal sides. tree →
• I saw a dark figure in the fog. tree →
• Look at Figure 3 on page 10. tree →
• A gigantic pike figures also in the Kalevala. tree →

Note

Countable: a figure, figures. A thing counted (toys). «figure out» carries no clue; it only asks for the answer. Trap: «a six-figure number» has 6 digits.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah a "figure" is a carved image or shape, and "figured stones" were idol stones with carvings that Israel had to destroy. In Proverbs a "figure" is a saying or riddle, and in Kings it means carved shapes in the Temple.

Interpretation. The law against figures and images belongs to the ban on idol worship in the second commandment. Tradition teaches that God has no body or shape. The carved cherubim and palm-trees in the Temple were allowed because they were not made to be worshipped.

Examples

• lest ye deal corruptly, and make you a graven image, even the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, (Torah DEU.4.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places. (Torah NUM.33.52, JPS 1917) tree →
• Ye shall make you no idols, neither shall ye rear you up a graven image, or a pillar, neither shall ye place any figured stone in your land, to bow down unto it; for I am the LORD your God. (Torah LEV.26.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• To understand a proverb, and a figure; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. (Writings PRO.1.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubim and palm-trees and open flowers, within and without. (Prophets 1KI.6.29, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a figure, figures. A thing counted (toys). «figure out» carries no clue; it only asks for the answer. Trap: «a six-figure number» has 6 digits.