figary

English

Alternative forms

• fegary
• figairey

Etymology

By sound change from vagary.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɪɡəɹi/

Noun

figary (plural figaries)

1. A whim or eccentricity.
   • c. 1607–1611, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, “Cupid’s Revenge”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1679, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):

     is she not a woman, and subject to those mad figaries her whole sex is infected with?

   • 1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CCXLII”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson;  […], →OCLC:

     These women think that all the business of the world must stand still for their figaries (a good female word, Jack!) […] .