2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Figurative  \Fig"ur*a*tive\,  a.  [L.  figurativus:  cf  F. 
  figuratif  See  {Figurative}.] 
  1.  Representing  by  a  figure,  or  by  resemblance;  typical; 
  representative. 
 
  This  they  will  say  was  figurative,  and  served,  by 
  God's  appointment,  but  for  a  time,  to  shadow  out  the 
  true  glory  of  a  more  divine  sanctity.  --Hooker. 
 
  2.  Used  in  a  sense  that  is  tropical,  as  a  metaphor;  not 
  literal;  --  applied  to  words  and  expressions. 
 
  3.  Abounding  in  figures  of  speech;  flowery;  florid;  as  a 
  highly  figurative  description. 
 
  4.  Relating  to  the  representation  of  form  or  figure  by 
  drawing,  carving,  etc  See  {Figure},  n.,  2. 
 
  They  belonged  to  a  nation  dedicated  to  the 
  figurative  arts,  and  they  wrote  for  a  public 
  familiar  with  painted  form  --J.  A. 
  Symonds 
 
  {Figurative}  {counterpoint  or  descant}.  See  under  {Figurate}. 
  --  {Fig"ur*a*tive*ly},  adv  --  {Fig"ur*a*tive*ness},  n. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  figuratively 
  adv  :  in  a  figurative  sense  "figuratively  speaking,..."  [ant:  {literally}] 

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