Definition of Figuratively

1. Adverb. In a figurative sense. "Figuratively speaking,..."

Partainyms: Figurative
Antonyms: Literally

Definition of Figuratively

1. Adverb. (context: manner) In a figurative manner. ¹

2. Adverb. (context: speech act) (non-gloss definition Used to indicate that what follows is to be taken as a figure of speech, not literally.) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Figuratively

1. [adv]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Figuratively

figural aftereffect
figural blindness
figurally
figurant
figurante
figurantes
figurants
figurate
figurate number
figurate numbers
figurated
figurately
figuration
figurations
figurative
figuratively
figurativeness
figuratus
figure
figure-of-8 abnormality
figure-of-8 bandage
figure-of-8 suture
figure-of-eight
figure-of-eights
figure-of-speech
figure and ground
figure dash
figure dashes
figure eights

Literary usage of Figuratively

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

1. Elements of Criticism by Henry Home Kames (1870)
"The name of the materials, employed figuratively to signify the things made ... The names of the heathen deities, employed figuratively to signify what they ..."

2. A Grammar of Rhetoric and Polite Literature by Alexander Jamieson (1840)
"Attributes expressed figuratively. 1. When two attributes are connected, the name of the one may be employed figuratively, to express the other. ..."

3. A Grammar of Rhetoric, and Polite Literature: Comprehending the Principles by Alexander Jamieson (1838)
"The names of the Gods and Goddesses, employed figuratively, io signify what they patronize. ///us. Jove for the air, Mars for war, Venus for beauty, ..."

4. Elements of Criticism: With Analyses, and Translation of Ancient and Foreign by Henry Home Kames, Mills, Abraham (1847)
"Subjects expressed figuratively. 1 . A word proper to one subject employed ... Youth, for example, is signified figuratively by the morning of life. ..."

5. A Treatise of Human Nature: Being an Attempt to Introduce the Experimental by David Hume (1890)
"... God than those applied to of his duration and expansion,1 Locke admits that the term ' infinite ' is applied '• figuratively ' (Book n. chap. xvii. sec. ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Figuratively on Dictionary.com!Search for Figuratively on Thesaurus.com!Search for Figuratively on Google!Search for Figuratively on Wikipedia!

Search