FIGURATIVELY Copy link • FIGURATIVELYper figuram: per translationem: *figurata oratione; or after the Greek forms, tropice or metaphorice. Sometimes tecte (in an oblique or concealed manner) may serve. ☞ Figurate late (Asc.). To use a word figuratively, verbum assumere (Quint., 11, 1, 121).