figary en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈfɪɡəɹi/
Etymology
By sound change from vagary.
Meanings
-
A whim or eccentricity.
is she not a woman, and subject to those mad figaries her whole sex is infected with?
c. 1607–1611, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, “Cupid’s Revenge”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1679, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):These women think that all the business of the world must stand still for their figaries (a good female word, Jack!) […].
1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CCXLII”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| fegary | alternative | lexicographic | |
| figaries | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| figairey | alternative | lexicographic |