[It. fico:—L. fīcus FIG sb.1 For sense 3 see under FIG sb.2]
† 1. = FIG sb.1 2. Obs.
a. 1577. Gascoigne, Herbes, Wks. (1587), 153.
| It may fall out that thou shalte be entiste | |
| To suppe sometimes with a Magnifico, | |
| And have a Fico foysted in thy dishe. |
1630. R. Johnson, Relations of the Most Famous Kingdoms, etc., 30. To reward most of his great Captaines … with a Spanish fico. Ibid., 57. A poisonsome tricke of an Italian fico.
2. = FIG sb.1 4. Obs. exc. arch.
1598. E. Gilpin, Skial. (1878), 68.
| Once in my dayes Ile weene and over-weene, | |
| And cry, a Fico for the Criticke spleene: | |
| For let them praise them, or their praise deny, | |
| My lines are still themselues, and so am I. |
1606. Marston, Fawn, I. ii. B iv b. For wealth he is of my addiction and bid’s a fico for’t.
1823. Scott, Peveril, xxxviii. But proclaim!—a fico for the phrase. [After Shaks., Merry W., I. iii. 33.]
1886. E. L. Bynner, Agnes Surriage, xxix. 343. I would n’t give a fico for all you ever recover from her.
† 3. = FIG sb.2 To give the fico. Obs.
1596. Lodge, Wits Misery, 23. Giuing me the Fico with his thombe in his mouth.
1602. Carew, Cornwall, I. 22 b. With his face still turned towardes the enemie: by which meanes, hauing once recouered his fortresse, he then giues the Fico, to all that his aduersaries can by siedge, force, myne, sword, assault, or famine, attempt against him.
