fig

¹

[fig]

noun

1. any tree or shrub belonging to the genus Ficus, of the mulberry family, especially a small tree, F. carica, native to southwestern Asia, bearing a turbinate or pear-shaped fruit that is eaten fresh, preserved, or dried.

2. the fruit of such a tree or shrub, or of any related species.

3. any of various plants having a fruit somewhat resembling this.

4. a contemptibly trifling or worthless amount; the least bit.

   His help wasn't worth a fig.

5. a gesture of contempt.

fig

²

[fig]

noun

1. dress or array.

   to appear at a party in full fig.

2. condition.

   to feel in fine fig.

fig.

³

abbreviation

1. figurative.

2. figuratively.

3. figure; figures.

fig

¹

/ fɪɡ /

noun

1. any moraceous tree or shrub of the tropical and subtropical genus Ficus , in which the flowers are borne inside a pear-shaped receptacle

2. the fruit of any of these trees, esp of F. carica , which develops from the receptacle and has sweet flesh containing numerous seedlike structures

3. any of various plants or trees having a fruit similar to this

4. a succulent plant, Mesembryanthemum edule , of southern Africa, having a capsular fruit containing edible pulp: family Aizoaceae

5. (used with a negative) something of negligible value; jot

   I don't care a fig for your opinion

6. Also: feg. dialect,  a piece or segment from an orange

7. Also called: fico. an insulting gesture made with the thumb between the first two fingers or under the upper teeth

fig

²

/ fɪɡ /

verb

1. to dress (up) or rig (out)

2. to administer stimulating drugs to (a horse)

noun

1. dress, appearance, or array (esp in the phrase in full fig )

2. physical condition or form

   in bad fig

fig.

³

abbreviation

1. figurative(ly)

2. figure

Word History and Origins

Origin of fig¹

1175–1225; Middle English fige < Old French < Old Provençal figa < Vulgar Latin *fīca, for Latin fīcus

Origin of fig²

1685–95; earlier feague to liven, whip up < German fegen to furbish, sweep, clean; akin to fair ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fig¹

C13: from Old French figue , from Old Provençal figa , from Latin fīcus fig tree

Origin of fig²

C17 feague , of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

see under not give a damn.

Example Sentences

When Daisy was a pup, Koerner began planting dozens of native plants near the Aleppo pines and fig trees, creating what he called their campground arboretum.

From Los Angeles Times

“And when baked with a bit of puff pastry and fresh fig, makes a truly unforgettable hors d’oeuvre.”

From Salon

I didn’t get nearly enough corn or tomatoes, and heartbreak of heartbreaks, I missed the figs completely.

From Salon

A superstar in French cuisine, tonka has also made its fair share of cameos on “Bake Off,” notably in an apricot compote and a mascarpone cream paired with a ginger, fig and honey pudding.

From Salon

The research team measured the amount of ethanol, or pure alcohol, in fruits such as figs and plums eaten in large quantities by wild chimps in Côte d'Ivoire and Uganda.

From BBC