Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Fig
1.
(Bot.)
A small fruit tree (
Ficus Carica
) with large leaves, known from the remotest antiquity. It was probably native from Syria westward to the Canary Islands. 2.
The fruit of a fig tree, which is of round or oblong shape, and of various colors.
☞ The fruit of a fig tree is really the hollow end of a stem, and bears numerous achenia inside the cavity. Many species have little, hard, inedible figs, and in only a few does the fruit become soft and pulpy. The fruit of the cultivated varieties is much prized in its fresh state, and also when dried or preserved. See
Caprification
. 3.
A small piece of tobacco.
[U.S.]
4.
The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; – used in scorn or contempt.
“A fig for Peter.” Shak.
Cochineal fig
. See
– Conchineal fig
. Fig dust
, a preparation of fine oatmeal for feeding caged birds.
– Fig faun
, one of a class of rural deities or monsters supposed to live on figs.
“Therefore shall dragons dwell there with the fig fauns.” Jer. i. 39. (Douay version).
– Fig gnat
(Zool.)
, a small fly said to be injurious to figs.
– Fig leaf
, the leaf tree; hence, in allusion to the first clothing of Adam and Eve (Genesis iii.7), a covering for a thing that ought to be concealed; esp., an inadequate covering; a symbol for affected modesty.
– Fig marigold
(Bot.)
, the name of several plants of the genus
– Mesembryanthemum
, some of which are prized for the brilliancy and beauty of their flowers. Fig tree
(Bot.)
, any tree of the genus
Ficus
, but especially F. Carica
which produces the fig of commerce.1.
To insult with a fico, or contemptuous motion. See
Fico
. [Obs.]
When Pistol lies, do this, and
The bragging Spaniard.
fig
me likeThe bragging Spaniard.
Shakespeare
2.
To put into the head of, as something useless o[GREEK] contemptible.
[Obs.]
L’Estrange.
Fig
,Noun.
Figure; dress; array.
[Colloq.]
Were they all in full
fig
, the females with feathers on their heads, the males with chapeaux bras? Prof. Wilson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Fig
FIG
,Noun.
1.
The fruit of the fig tree, which is of a round or oblong shape, and a dark purplish color, with a pulp of a sweet taste. But the varieties are numerous; some being blue, others red, and others of a dark brown color.2.
The fig tree.FIG
, v.t.1.
To insult with ficoes or contemptuous motions of the fingers. [Little used.]2.
To put something useless into one's head. [Not used.]Definition 2024
Fig
fig
fig
English
A fig (the fruit).
A fig (the fruit) in cross-section.
Noun
fig (plural figs)
- A fruit-bearing tree or shrub of the genus Ficus that is native mainly to the tropics.
- The fruit of the fig tree, pear-shaped and containing many small seeds.
- A small piece of tobacco.
- The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; a whit.
- William Shakespeare
- I'll pledge you all; and a fig for Peter!
- 2004, David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas
- J. senses the entente between Eva and me and doesn't like it one fig.
- William Shakespeare
Derived terms
Translations
tree or shrub
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fruit
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Verb
fig (third-person singular simple present figs, present participle figging, simple past and past participle figged)
- (obsolete) To insult with a fico, or contemptuous motion.
- Shakespeare
- When Pistol lies, do this, and fig me like / The bragging Spaniard.
- Shakespeare
- (obsolete) To put into the head of, as something useless or contemptible.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of L'Estrange to this entry?)
External links
Etymology 2
Variation of fike.
Verb
fig (third-person singular simple present figs, present participle figging, simple past and past participle figged)
Etymology 3
Alternative forms
Noun
fig (plural figs)
- Abbreviation of figure. (diagram or illustration)
References
- ↑ Andreas Franz and Wilhelm Schimper, Plant Geography Upon a Physiological Basis, volume 2 (Berlin: Gebrüder Borntraeger, 1902), page 100