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 for

1. figurative.
2. figuratively.
3. figure; figures.

fig

¹

/ fɪɡ /

verb

1. foll byout or up 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.

²

abbreviation for

1. figurative(ly)
2. figure

fig

³

/ 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. Hottentot fig or sour fig
   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. dialect.
   Alsofeg a piece or segment from an orange
7. Also calledfico an insulting gesture made with the thumb between the first two fingers or under the upper teeth

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

C17 feague , of uncertain origin

Origin of fig²

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

Idioms and Phrases

see under not give a damn .

Example Sentences

“The inquiry into the difficulty value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring.

From Los Angeles Times

That makes it unclear whether any of the athletes approved by FIG on Monday will be able to compete in Olympic qualifying events.

From Seattle Times

Ukraine is lobbying international sports federations such as Watanabe’s FIG, which have the final say on whether to implement the IOC’s recommendations for their own events.

From Seattle Times

A summary of the ruling on the FIG website didn’t specify exactly which of the accusations were upheld but said Viner was found “liable for breach of the FIG rules.”

From Washington Times

Russia, the reigning Olympic champion, is currently banned from competing at FIG and European Gymnastics federation-hosted events due to the war in Ukraine.

From Seattle Times