Obs. [ad. F. figue (in phrase faire la figue to make the gesture described), ad. It. fica; cf. Sp. higa in dar la higa to ‘give the fig.’
By some identified with FIG sb.1 (for a story purporting to account for the use, see Littré s.v.). According to others, It. fica had an indecent sense: see Tommaseo’s Dict.]
A contemptuous gesture which consisted in thrusting the thumb between two of the closed fingers or into the month. Also, fig of Spain, and To give (a person) the fig.
1579. Ulp. Fulwell, Art of Flattery, ii. C iv/i.
| And thus farewell, I will returne to Lady Hope agayne: | |
| And for a token I thee sende, a dotinge Figge of Spayne. |
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., III. vi. 62. Pist. The Figge of Spaine within they Iawe.
1600. Shepherd’s Slumber, 90, in England’s Helicon, Z iv.
| With scowling browes their follies check, | |
| and so giue them the Fig. |
1891. C. E. Norton, Dante’s Hell, XXV. 133. The thief raised his hands with both the figs, crying, ‘Take that God! for at Thee I square them.’
