figuratively

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"I used the word figuratively, as it were."

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Definitions (2)

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  1. In a figurative manner; by means of a figure or resemblance; metaphorically or tropically. For thoʒ men soʒt al sectes of sustren and of bretheren, And thow fynde hym, bote figuratifliche a ferly me thinketh. Piers Plowman (C), xvii. 294. These words can only be understood figuratively of receiving him by faith. Bp. Burnet, Hist. Reformation, an. 1594. Though a nation has often been figuratively drowned in tears on the death of a great man, yet it is ten to one if an individual tear has been shed on the occasion, excepting from the forlorn pen of some hungry author. Irving, Knickerbocker, p. 266.

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Examples (50)

  • She came to most family birthday celebrations in restaurants around town, sometimes dragging that beau of hers, the one who jumped out of the window, figuratively, that is. —  EQMM,August2007
  • Sarah - figuratively, as in McCain running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. —  Top Stories - Google News
  • Right before being beaten by Sean Penn this past weekend (figuratively, that is), Mick poetically described to us his sluggish crawl back to the spotlight as "a long nightmare that turned into a dream." —  E! Online (US) - Top Stories
  • They are not rocket scientists - figuratively or literally. —  The Virginian
  • But figuratively, at least, all eyes were on ABC's eighth season premiere of the NBC castoff —  Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider
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This word has been looked up 66 times.

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