51³Ô¹Ï

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View synonyms for

fig

1

[ fig ]

noun

  1. any tree or shrub belonging to the genus Ficus, of the mulberry family, especially a small tree, F. carica, native to southwestern Asia, bearing a turbinate or pear-shaped fruit that is eaten fresh, preserved, or dried.
  2. the fruit of such a tree or shrub, or of any related species.
  3. any of various plants having a fruit somewhat resembling this.
  4. a contemptibly trifling or worthless amount; the least bit:

    His help wasn't worth a fig.

  5. a gesture of contempt.


fig

2

[ fig ]

noun

  1. dress or array:

    to appear at a party in full fig.

  2. condition:

    to feel in fine fig.

fig.

3

abbreviation for

  1. figurative.
  2. figuratively.
  3. figure; figures.

fig.

1

abbreviation for

  1. figurative(ly)
  2. figure
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

fig

2

/ ´Úɪɡ /

noun

  1. any moraceous tree or shrub of the tropical and subtropical genus Ficus , in which the flowers are borne inside a pear-shaped receptacle
  2. the fruit of any of these trees, esp of F. carica , which develops from the receptacle and has sweet flesh containing numerous seedlike structures
  3. any of various plants or trees having a fruit similar to this
  4. Hottentot fig or sour fig
    a succulent plant, Mesembryanthemum edule , of southern Africa, having a capsular fruit containing edible pulp: family Aizoaceae
  5. used with a negative something of negligible value; jot

    I don't care a fig for your opinion

  6. dialect.
    Alsofeg a piece or segment from an orange
  7. Also calledfico an insulting gesture made with the thumb between the first two fingers or under the upper teeth
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

fig

3

/ ´Úɪɡ /

verb

  1. foll byout or up to dress (up) or rig (out)
  2. to administer stimulating drugs to (a horse)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. dress, appearance, or array (esp in the phrase in full fig )
  2. physical condition or form

    in bad fig

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of fig1

1175–1225; Middle English fige < Old French < Old Provençal figa < Vulgar Latin *´ÚÄ«³¦²¹, for Latin ´ÚÄ«³¦³Ü²õ

Origin of fig2

1685–95; earlier feague to liven, whip up < German fegen to furbish, sweep, clean; akin to fair 1
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of fig1

C13: from Old French figue , from Old Provençal figa , from Latin ´ÚÄ«³¦³Ü²õ fig tree

Origin of fig2

C17 feague , of uncertain origin
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Idioms and Phrases

see under not give a damn .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Even as a fig leaf, it is surprisingly persuasive: who could argue against “efficiency,†that core value of free-market capitalism?

From

A number of the trees cut down by the vandal appeared to be Indian laurel figs.

From

A lot of fig, lavender and stone fruit — peach trees, nectarines.

From

You can thin out jams or preserves—apricot, cherry, fig, even marmalade—or simmer down fresh or frozen fruit into a sticky glaze.

From

Honestly, I barely gave a caramelized fig about wee Toby being held hostage.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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