n. [ F. figue the fruit of the tree, Pr. figa, fr. L. ficus fig tree, fig. Cf. Fico. ] 1. (Bot.) A small fruit tree (Ficus Carica) with large leaves, known from the remotest antiquity. It was probably native from Syria westward to the Canary Islands. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The fruit of a fig tree, which is of round or oblong shape, and of various colors. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The fruit of a fig tree is really the hollow end of a stem, and bears numerous achenia inside the cavity. Many species have little, hard, inedible figs, and in only a few does the fruit become soft and pulpy. The fruit of the cultivated varieties is much prized in its fresh state, and also when dried or preserved. See Caprification. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A small piece of tobacco. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; -- used in scorn or contempt. “A fig for Peter.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cochineal fig. See Conchineal fig. --
Fig dust, a preparation of fine oatmeal for feeding caged birds. --
Fig faun, one of a class of rural deities or monsters supposed to live on figs. “Therefore shall dragons dwell there with the fig fauns.” Jer. i. 39. (Douay version). --
Fig gnat (Zool.), a small fly said to be injurious to figs. --
Fig leaf, the leaf tree; hence, in allusion to the first clothing of Adam and Eve (Genesis iii.7), a covering for a thing that ought to be concealed; esp., an inadequate covering; a symbol for affected modesty. --
Fig marigold (Bot.), the name of several plants of the genus Mesembryanthemum, some of which are prized for the brilliancy and beauty of their flowers. --
Fig tree (Bot.), any tree of the genus Ficus, but especially F. Carica which produces the fig of commerce. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Fico, Fig, n. ] 1. To insult with a fico, or contemptuous motion. See Fico. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

When Pistol lies, do this, and fig me like
The bragging Spaniard. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To put into the head of, as something useless o&unr_; contemptible. [ Obs. ] L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Figure; dress; array. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Were they all in full fig, the females with feathers on their heads, the males with chapeaux bras? Prof. Wilson. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ From the name of the barber in Beaumarchais' “Barber of Seville.” ] An adroit and unscrupulous intriguer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Corrupted fr. vagary. ] A frolic; a vagary; a whim. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) (a) A large beetle (Allorhina nitida) which in the Southern United States destroys figs. The elytra are velvety green with pale borders. (b) A bird. See Figpecker. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Fidgety; restless. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Such a little figent thing. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Etymol. uncertain. ] A juggler's trick; conjuring. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The devil is the author of wicked figgum. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Fought p. pr. & vb. n. Fighting. ] [ OE. fihten, fehten, AS. feohtan; akin to D. vechten, OHG. fehtan, G. fechten, Sw. fäkta, Dan. fegte, and perh. to E. fist; cf. L. pugnare to fight, pugnus fist. ] 1. To strive or contened for victory, with armies or in single combat; to attempt to defeat, subdue, or destroy an enemy, either by blows or weapons; to contend in arms; -- followed by with or against. [ 1913 Webster ]

You do fight against your country's foes. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To act in opposition to anything; to struggle against; to contend; to strive; to make resistance. [ 1913 Webster ]

To fight shy, to avoid meeting fairly or at close quarters; to keep out of reach. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. fight, feht, AS. feoht. See Fight, v. i. ] 1. A battle; an engagement; a contest in arms; a combat; a violent conflict or struggle for victory, between individuals or between armies, ships, or navies, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Who now defies thee thrice to single fight. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A struggle or contest of any kind. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Strength or disposition for fighting; pugnacity; as, he has a great deal of fight in him. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A screen for the combatants in ships. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Up with your fights, and your nettings prepare. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Running fight, a fight in which the enemy is continually chased; also, one which continues without definite end or result.

Syn. -- Combat; engagement; contest; struggle; encounter; fray; affray; action; conflict. See Battle. [ 1913 Webster ]