figura Latin · revision 3664

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Terence|origins=ine-pro *dʰeyǵʰ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [fɪˈɡuː.ra]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [fiˈɡuː.ra]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''figūra''' ''f'' (genitive figūrae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is derived from [[fingo|alt=fingō]] “to shape, mould”, with the suffix [[m|la|-ura|alt=-ūra]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The /g/ instead of /h/ is analogical from the present ''fingo''.^(de Vaan 2008) The verb is [[inh|itc-pro|*finge/o-]], [[inh|ine-pro|*dʰi-n-ǵʰ-|t=to knead, shape]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan finds it from Terence onwards,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) and the OLD cites Pacuvius' plague “made in a new form”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant form or make-up, shape or outline, as Varro's star changing its colour, size and shape, and a person's appearance or features.^(OLD 2012) It meant a pose or posture, an outward appearance as opposed to real nature, an image or likeness, and in astronomy a constellation.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In grammar it was the form of a word, and in rhetoric a figure of speech, a way of speaking that departs from the plain.^(OLD 2012) Christian writers used it of a type or prefiguration.^(Köbler 2010) In medieval music it was a written note.^(LmL) English ''figure'' came from it through Old French, first as “numeral” about 1200.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 220–130 BC – Pacuvius uses it of something of new form.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the shape of the body.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of figures of speech.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1200 – English ''figure'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Form, make-up.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|Shape]], outline.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Appearance, features (of a person).^(OLD 2012)

+ # A posture, pose.^(OLD 2012)

+ # An outward appearance (as opposed to reality).^(OLD 2012)

+ # A [[m|en|figure]], shape; a constellation.^(OLD 2012)

+ # An image, likeness.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A kind, type.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(grammar)'' A form of a word.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(rhetoric)'' A figure of speech.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(medieval music)'' A note.^(LmL)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[figūrō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|figure]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''figura'', shape as outline, from ''forma'', shape as the visible expression of an inner substance.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}