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

Others call the dictionary a fig leaf for the interpretive excesses of jurists bent on reading the law to suit a political agenda.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By that point it would be too late for an international force, which would be little more than a fig leaf for Hamas’s power.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

We were approaching Point Fermin, where Meals pointed out the serene magnificence of a Moreton Bay fig tree that threw an acre of shade and cooled a refreshing salt-air breeze.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A blooming pink jasmine frames the porch, and a quick-growing Sierra fig tree they got from the city for free will soon provide shade and fruit at the northeast edge of the front yard.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I’ve loved the recipes so far — a triple apple snacking cake, those fig jam hand pies — because they’re the kind of sweets that can happen on a Tuesday.

Read more on Salon