figuration

American  

[fig-yuh-rey-shuhn] / ˌfɪg yəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of shaping into a particular figure.

2. the resulting figure or shape.

   emblematic figurations of the sun and the moon.

3. the act of representing figuratively.

4. a figurative representation.

   allegorical figurations.

5. the act of marking or adorning with a design.

6. Music.

   1. the employment of passing notes or other embellishments.

   2. the figuring of a bass part.

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figuration British  

/ ˌfɪɡəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. music

   1. the employment of characteristic patterns of notes, esp in variations on a theme

   2. decoration or florid ornamentation in general

2. the act or an instance of representing figuratively, as by means of allegory or emblem

3. a figurative or emblematic representation

4. the act of decorating with a design

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Etymology

Origin of figuration

1400–50; late Middle English figuracioun < Latin figūrātiōn- (stem of figūrātiō ) “a shaping” ( see figure ( def. )) + -ion

Example Sentences

They brilliantly bridge figuration and abstraction by letting the dressed body tell the story.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

So it’s all of those ideas in one style of figuration.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

Her gestures, like the schematic flowers that let her claim a toehold in figuration, are always distinctly efficient.

From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2023

In contrast, Brown tries to straddle two distinct idioms: abstract mark-making and impressionistic figuration.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

Joseffy, who looked upon Paderewski, as a rare personality, told me that the Polish Fantasy for piano and orchestra puzzled him because of its seeming simplicity in figuration.

From Unicorns by Huneker, James