nonfigurative
|non-fig-u-ra-tive|
🇺🇸
/nɒnˈfɪɡjərətɪv/
🇬🇧
/nɒnˈfɪɡjʊrətɪv/
abstract representation
Etymology
'nonfigurative' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'figurative' from Latin 'figurativus', where 'figura' meant 'form, shape'.
'figurativus' transformed into the French word 'figuratif', and eventually became the modern English word 'figurative', with 'non-' added to form 'nonfigurative'.
Initially, 'figurative' meant 'related to form or shape', but over time, 'nonfigurative' evolved to mean 'not representing reality'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature; abstract.
The artist's nonfigurative paintings are open to interpretation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/14 13:10