Definition of "figuratively" []

• In a figurative manner. (adverb)
• Used to indicate that what follows is to be taken as a figure of speech, not literally. (adverb)

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• "Defeat at the hands I use the term figuratively of a box full of silicon and wires wastoo humiliating for Kasparov, a man who had never lost a multigame match against an individual opponent in his life!"
• "The term figuratively has reference to the Spanish conquest of the indigenous Indians of Mexico and the resulting mestizaje or the mixed racial and ethnic identity of indigenous, European and African heritage unique to the Americas."
• "Some have suggested that Salem here is the Salim of John 3: 23; a few take the term figuratively as a title (see verse two) devoid of any geographical intent."