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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Figur(e, Fygur(e, n. Also: figuir, figeur. [ME. fygure, figure, figur (a 1300), OF. figure, L. figūra. Cf. Figour n.]

1. Form, shape, appearance (esp. of persons). a1400 Leg. S. ii. 152.
Of this warld the figure hale … vndo he sall Ib. xxxiii. 169.
Nature … cuth nocht amend in hyre fygure c1420 Wynt. i. 305.
Geawndys … That lyk tyll men ware in fygure c1450-2 Howlat 106.
Lykar a fule than a fowle in figur and face 1513 Doug. ii. x. 110.
Terribil figuris apperis to my sycht Of gret goddis Ib. v. xiii. 13.
Thai moderis … Quhom til … The seys figur was abhominabill 1531 Bell. Boece i. p. xviii.
The figure and situation of Scotland 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 43.
This monstre being vnder coverture of a mannis figure c1590 J. Stewart 23/309.
The … formosit figure frie Of Angelique

2. An image. a1400 Leg. S. v. 315.
The idolis all, And of deme Dyane the fygure c1420 Wynt. ii. 427.
Figuris off men he made alsua c1515 Asl. MS. I. 315/4.
Moyses … fand … vnbrynt figuris of our lady with child 1513 Doug. ii. iv. 58.
Onto the hallowit sted bryng in, … The gret fygur Ib. v. ix. 81.
A cowp of gold engrave with figuris seir 1562-3 Winȝet I. 123/7.
Quhy beir ȝe … gold and siluer in ȝour purssis, quhareupon ar images and figures

3. A symbol or symbolic representation. 1456 Hay I. 5/17.
We will mak first certane questiounis … be maner of figure a1500 Henr. Fab. 57.
This nobill clerk Esope … Be figure wrait his buik 1490 Irland Mir. fol. 289.
Thai resaue this spirituale figure and takin 1513 Doug. x. Prol. 83.
Thus rude exemplys and figuris may we geif 1562-3 Winȝet I. 111/28.
Gif sik honour wes hald to the figuir, quhat suld be hald to the veritie

4. A person as numbered in a list. 1640 Misc. Spald. C. V. 228.
The nixt figur must furnisch ane hors, and the nixt ane cariagman