FIGURATIVE • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Figurative

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/fˈɪgjərətɪv/ Listen

adjective

Figurative adj.

Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical; representative. "This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity."

Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; applied to words and expressions.

Abounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description.

Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See Figure, n., 2. "They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form."

Figurative counterpoint or Figurative descant. See under Figurate.

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Etymology of 'Figurative'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Figurative" Quotes from Famous Books

... Mrs. March saw the intent was only figurative she drew her lips close and dropped ...

— John March, Southerner • George W. Cable

... Holy Eucharist. The term "Real Presence" is intended to signify that the Presence of our Lord in this Sacrament is a reality; that while His Presence is spiritual, it is none the less real, and not simply figurative. The sacrament is not a mere sign or token of an absent {225} Christ. It is a great deal more. As it is Christ who invites, bids and calls us to this Feast and provides the spiritual food for it, it would be strange indeed ...

— The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia • William James Miller

... everything was ready. The pack-train got slowly under way. We leaped into our saddles—"leaped" being a figurative term which grew more and more figurative as time went on and we grew saddle-weary and stiff—and, passing the pack-train on a canter, led off ...

— Tenting To-night - A Chronicle of Sport and Adventure in Glacier Park and the - Cascade Mountains • Mary Roberts Rinehart

... quarrels of the marriage-bed; to conclude, they must all act according to their distinct and peculiar characters. If the persons represented were to speak upon the stage, it would follow, of necessity, that the expressions should be lofty, figurative, and majestical: but the nature of an opera denies the frequent use of these poetical ornaments; for vocal music, though it often admits a loftiness of sound, yet always exacts an harmonious sweetness; or, to distinguish ...

— The Works Of John Dryden, Vol. 7 (of 18) - The Duke of Guise; Albion and Albanius; Don Sebastian • John Dryden

... here in the cold light of day, her words of the night before seemed more than a little fantastic; but perhaps he had not understood, or perhaps she had spoken figuratively. "The nations of the world in the hollow of his hand"—that, of course, was figurative. And, equally of course, Vard's plan would come to nothing. But it would be interesting to ...

— The Destroyer - A Tale of International Intrigue • Burton Egbert Stevenson

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