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(), a.[L. figuratus, p. p. of figurare. See Figure.] 1. Of a definite form or figure. Plants are all figurate and determinate, which inanimate bodies are not. Bacon. 2. Figurative; metaphorical. [Obs.] Bale. 3. (Mus.) Florid; figurative; involving passing discords by the freer melodic movement of one or more parts or voices in the harmony; as, figurate counterpoint or descant. Figurate counterpoint or descant (Mus.), that which is not simple, or in which the parts do not move together tone for tone, but in which freer movement of one or more parts mingles passing discords with the harmony; -- called also figural, figurative, and figured counterpoint or descant (although the term figured is more commonly applied to a bass with numerals written above or below to indicate the other notes of the harmony). Figurate numbers (Math.), numbers, or series of numbers, formed from any arithmetical progression in which the first term is a unit, and the difference a whole number, by taking the firs スポンサード リンク
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