figurative

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal

   Of use as a metaphor, simile, metonym or other figure of speech, as opposed to literal; using figures.

   • The lovers she seems to pursue with her figurative language in fact retreat under the barrage of similes, metaphors and fables.
2. 2

   Metaphorically so called.

3. 3

   With many figures of speech.

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   1. 4

      Emblematic, symbolic

      Emblematic, symbolic; representative, exemplative

      • This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity.
   2. 5

      Representing forms recognisable in life and clearly derived from real object sources, in…

      Representing forms recognisable in life and clearly derived from real object sources, in contrast to abstract art.

      • 1875-1886, John Addington Symonds, Renaissance in Italy They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form.

The neighborhood

• antonymliteral
• neighborfigure
• neighbortransferred sense