Dictionary

fico en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈfaɪkəʊ/

Etymology

From Italian fico (“a fig”), from Latin fīcus. Doublet of fig.

Meanings

1. (archaic) a fig; an insignificant trifle
   • a fico for the phrase. c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
2. (archaic) a sign of contempt made with the fingers
   • As for these chicken-hearted tremblers,' he continued, squinting askance at our companions, 'a fico for them! 1894, Stanley John Weyman, “XXI. Among the Wounded”, in My Lady Rotha:

Forms