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Fid vs Fig - What's the difference?

fid | fig |

As nouns the difference between fid and fig

is that fid is a pointed tool without any sharp edges, used in weaving or knotwork to tighten and form up weaves or complex knots; used in sailing ships to open the strands of a rope before splicing. Compare marlinespike while fig is a fruit-bearing tree or shrub of the genus Ficus that is native mainly to the tropics.

As verbs the difference between fid and fig

is that fid is to support a topmast using a fid while fig is to insult with a fico, or contemptuous motion.

fid

English

(wikipedia fid)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (nautical) A pointed tool without any sharp edges, used in weaving or knotwork to tighten and form up weaves or complex knots; used in sailing ships to open the strands of a rope before splicing. Compare marlinespike.
  • (nautical) A square bar of wood or iron, with a shoulder at one end, to support the weight of the topmast (on a ship).
  • A plug of oakum for the vent of a gun.
  • A small thick piece of anything.
  • A wooden or metal bar or pin, used to support or steady anything.
  • A naval euphemism for "penis", derived from the similarity of each of the above to the male reproductive organ.
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To support a topmast using a fid.
  • Anagrams

    * ---- ==Volapük==

    Noun

    (vo-noun)
  • food
  • Declension

    (vo-decl-noun)

    Derived terms

    * fidacem ----

    fig

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) fige, fygge (also fyke, from (etyl) )Andreas Franz and Wilhelm Schimper, Plant Geography Upon a Physiological Basis , volume 2 (Berlin: Gebrüder Borntraeger, 1902), page 100. Another (etyl) root (compare (etyl) ; whence (etyl) sycophant.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A fruit-bearing tree or shrub of the genus Ficus that is native mainly to the tropics.
  • The fruit of the fig tree, pear-shaped and containing many small seeds.
  • A small piece of tobacco.
  • The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; a whit.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I'll pledge you all; and a fig for Peter!
    Derived terms
    * caprifig * fig leaf * figgy * figtree * not give a fig

    Verb

    (figg)
  • (obsolete) To insult with a fico, or contemptuous motion.
  • * Shakespeare
  • When Pistol lies, do this, and fig me like / The bragging Spaniard.
  • (obsolete) To put into the head of, as something useless or contemptible.
  • (rfquotek, L'Estrange)

    Etymology 2

    Variation of fike.

    Verb

    (figg)
  • To move suddenly or quickly; rove about.
  • Etymology 3

    Alternative forms

    *

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • References

    Anagrams

    * ----