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 tiny raised beds in the Blacks’ backyard produced lackluster harvests, if anything at all, because they were tucked under large fig and avocado trees, McLaughlin said.

From Los Angeles Times

But scattered across this region’s tree-covered mountains, tobacco fields and orchards of apple and fig, are predominantly Sunni, Christian and Druze towns and villages — most of which are at best ambivalent toward Hezbollah.

From Los Angeles Times

These things should be understood more as fig leaves covering up a reactionary agenda.

From Salon

He also grew pears, figs, quinces, lemons and apples — and oranges.

From Los Angeles Times

I kiss my husband because he buys me cheese and figs.

From Los Angeles Times