[var. of FEAGUE.]
1. trans. = FEAGUE v. 2 b. To fig out (a horse): to trot out in lively condition. Also to fig up, to make lively or spirited.
1810. Sporting Mag., XXXVI. July, 182/1. He said the horse appeared lively, but he was figged with ginger.
1819. T. Moore, Tom Crib’s Mem., 24.
| In vain did they try to fig up the old lad, | |
| ’Twas like using persuaders upon a dead prad. |
1825. C. M. Westmacott, Eng. Spy, I. 177. Fig out two lively ones [horses].
2. To fig out: to dress, ‘get up.’ Also to fig up: to furbish up, make ‘smart.’
1837. Marryat, Snarleyyow; or The Dog Fiend, xx.
| While landsmen are figged out as fine as Lord Harry, | |
| With breast-pins and cravats as white as old sail. |
1841. Thackeray, Sec. Fun. Nap., i. Cowards fig themselves out fiercely as ‘salvage men,’ and make us believe that they are warriors.
1871. Punch, 9 Nov., 196/1. It [a house] wants a little figging up, but that ’s all.
1883. W. C. Russell, Jack’s Courtship, in Longm. Mag., III. Dec., 123. He began to inveigh against the waiter’s costume, as he styled the dress I had figged myself out in.
† 3. ? To stuff. Obs. rare–1.
Johnson explains this: ‘To put something useless into a person’s head. Low Cant.’
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, cccciii. 378. Away to the Sow she goes, and Figs her in the Crown with another Story.
