figuring
修琢
Fig·ure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Figured p. pr. & vb. n. Figuring.]
1. To represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a determinate form; to shape.
If love, alas! be pain I bear,
No thought can figure, and no tongue declare.Prior.
2. To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.
The vaulty top of heaven
Figured quite o'er with burning meteors. --Shak.
3. To indicate by numerals; also, to compute.
As through a crystal glass the figured hours are seen. --Dryden.
4. To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.
Whose white vestments figure innocence. --Shak.
5. To prefigure; to foreshow.
In this the heaven figures some event. --Shak.
6. Mus. (a) To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords. (b) To embellish.
To figure out, to solve; to compute or find the result of.
To figure up, to add; to reckon; to compute the amount of.
figuring
n : problem solving that involves numbers or quantities [syn: calculation,
computation, reckoning]