figure eight

American  

[fig-yer eyt] / ˈfɪg yər ˈeɪt /

noun

1. a figure or form composed of two loops made by a continuous line crossing itself, as in the numeral “8,” especially as traced on ice in figure skating.

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Etymology

Origin of figure eight

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

Cats on the street came to wind figure eights around his ankles; dogs leaped up at him in the park.

From Literature

We take turns dribbling the ball in a figure eight around cones and then pass to each other.

From Literature

Thus, like a toy train doing endless figure eights on a looping track, her thoughts inevitably circled back to the very spot they kept trying to leave behind.

From Literature

The solution devised by the team was to create multiple racetracks, pairing them up so they look a bit like a figure eight.

From Science Daily

The scent of pine wafted from candle sellers’ booths, people snapped up gingerbread cookies and hot apple cider and ice skaters swirled figure eights around the rink in the center of the market.

From Seattle Times