Lexic.us

Definition of Figurate

1. a. Of a definite form or figure.

Definition of Figurate

1. Adjective. Forming a figure. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Figurate

1. having a definite shape [adj]

Medical Definition of Figurate

1. 1. Of a definite form or figure. "Plants are all figurate and determinate, which inanimate bodies are not." (Bacon) 2. Figurative; metaphorical. 3. Florid; figurative; involving passing discords by the freer melodic movement of one or more parts or voices in the harmony; as, figurate counterpoint or descant. Figurate counterpoint or descant, that which is not simple, or in which the parts do not move together tone for tone, but in which freer movement of one or more parts mingles passing discords with the harmony; called also figural, figurative, and figured counterpoint or descant (although the term figured is more commonly applied to a bass with numerals written above or below to indicate the other notes of the harmony). Figurate numbers, numbers, or series of numbers, formed from any arithmetical progression in which the first term is a unit, and the difference a whole number, by taking the first term, and the sums of the first two, first three, first four, etc, as the successive terms of a new series, from which another may be formed in the same manner, and so on, the numbers in the resulting series being such that points representing them are capable of symmetrical arrangement in different geometrical figures, as triangles, squares, pentagons, etc. In the following example, the two lower lines are composed of figurate numbers, those in the second line being triangular, and represented thus: . 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. 1, 3, 6, 10, etc. 1, 4, 10, 20, etc. Origin: L. Figuratus, p.p. Of figurare. See Figure. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Figurate

Literary usage of Figurate

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Treatise of Algebra: Wherein the Principles are Demonstrated ... To which by Thomas Simpson (1821)
"Of figurate Numbers, their Sums, and the Sums of their Reciprocals, ... figurate numbers of the 2d order figurate numbers of the 3d order figurate numbers ..."

2. A Treatise on Algebra, in Practice and Theory, with Notes and Illustrations by John Bonnycastle (1813)
"THE whole theory of figurate numbers, as has been observed in the note to article (E), Part i, is founded upon the following proposition, ..."

3. Arithmetic, Practically Applied, for Advanced Pupils, and for Private by Horace Mann, Pliny Earle Chase (1857)
"figurate NUMBERS. figurate, or polygonal numbers, are formed by adding the successive terms of an arithmetical series. Thus, if we add the successive terms ..."

4. Prolegomena to the Study of Hegel's Philosophy and Especially of His Logic by William Wallace (1894)
"figurate OR REPRESENTATIVE THOUGHT. THE compensating dialectic whereby reason, under the guise of imagination, overthrows the narrowness of popular ..."

5. Catalogue of the Library of the Institution of Civil Engineers by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy, Institution of Civil Engineers (Great Britain). Library (1866)
"NICHOLSON, P. Analytical and arithmetical essays; consisting of continued fractions, factorials and figurate numbers, extraction of roots, application of ..."

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