Fig (?), n. [F. figue the fruit of the tree, Pr. figa, fr. L. ficus fig tree, fig. Cf. Fico.]
1. Bot.
A small fruit tree (Ficus Carica) with large leaves, known from the remotest antiquity. It was probably native from Syria westward to the Canary Islands.
2.
The fruit of a fig tree, which is of round or oblong shape, and of various colors.
⇒ The fruit of a fig tree is really the hollow end of a stem, and bears numerous achenia inside the cavity. Many species have little, hard, inedible figs, and in only a few does the fruit become soft and pulpy. The fruit of the cultivated varieties is much prized in its fresh state, and also when dried or preserved. See Caprification.
3.
A small piece of tobacco.
[U.S.]
4.
The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; -- used in scorn or contempt.
"A
fig for Peter."
Shak.
Cochineal fig. See Conchineal fig. -- Fig dust, a preparation of fine oatmeal for feeding caged birds. -- Fig faun, one of a class of rural deities or monsters supposed to live on figs. "Therefore shall dragons dwell there with the fig fauns." Jer. i. 39. (Douay version). -- Fig gnat Zool., a small fly said to be injurious to figs. -- Fig leaf, the leaf tree; hence, in allusion to the first clothing of Adam and Eve (Genesis iii.7), a covering for a thing that ought to be concealed; esp., an inadequate covering; a symbol for affected modesty. -- Fig marigold Bot., the name of several plants of the genus Mesembryanthemum, some of which are prized for the brilliancy and beauty of their flowers. -- Fig tree Bot., any tree of the genus Ficus, but especially F. Carica which produces the fig of commerce.
© Webster 1913.
Fig, v. t. [See Fico, Fig, n.]
1.
To insult with a fico, or contemptuous motion. See Fico.
[Obs.]
When Pistol lies, do this, and fig me like
The bragging Spaniard.
Shak.
2.
To put into the head of, as something useless o contemptible.
[Obs.]
L'Estrange.
© Webster 1913.
Fig, n.
Figure; dress; array.
[Colloq.]
Were they all in full fig, the females with feathers on their heads, the males with chapeaux bras?
Prof. Wilson.
© Webster 1913.