2 N‑COUNT A figurehead is a large wooden model of a person that was put just under the pointed front of a sailing ship in former times.
fi gure-hugging ADJ Figure-hugging clothes fit very close to the body of the person who is wearing them. Figure-hugging is usually used to describe clothes worn by women.
fi g|ure of ei ght (figures of eight ) N‑COUNT A figure of eight is something that has the shape of the number 8, for example a knot or a movement done by a skater. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use figure eight
fi g|ure of spee ch (figures of speech ) N‑COUNT A figure of speech is an expression or word that is used with a metaphorical rather than a literal meaning. □ Of course I'm not. It was just a figure of speech.
fi g|ure skat|ing N‑UNCOUNT Figure skating is skating in an attractive pattern, usually with spins and jumps included.
figu|rine /f I gəriː n, [AM ] -gjər-/ (figurines ) N‑COUNT A figurine is a small ornamental model of a person.
fila|ment /f I ləmənt/ (filaments ) N‑COUNT A filament is a very thin piece or thread of something, for example the piece of wire inside a light bulb.
filch /f I ltʃ/ (filches , filching , filched ) VERB If you say that someone filches something, you mean they steal it, especially when you do not consider this to be a very serious crime. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] I filched some notes from his wallet.
file ◆◆◇ /fa I l/ (files , filing , filed )
1 N‑COUNT A file is a box or a folded piece of heavy paper or plastic in which letters or documents are kept. □ He sat behind a table on which were half a dozen files. □ [+ of ] …a file of insurance papers.
2 N‑COUNT A file is a collection of information about a particular person or thing. □ [+ on ] We already have files on people's tax details, mortgages and poll tax. □ [+ of ] You must record and keep a file of all expenses.
3 VERB If you file a document, you put it in the correct file. □ [be V -ed] They are all filed alphabetically under author.
4 N‑COUNT In computing, a file is a set of related data that has its own name.
5 VERB If you file a formal or legal accusation, complaint, or request, you make it officially. □ [V n] A number of them have filed formal complaints against the police. □ [V + for ] I filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery a few months later.
6 VERB When someone files a report or a news story, they send or give it to their employer. □ [V n] Catherine Bond filed that report for the BBC from Nairobi.
7 VERB When a group of people files somewhere, they walk one behind the other in a line. □ [V prep/adv] Slowly, people filed into the room and sat down.
8 N‑COUNT A file is a hand tool which is used for rubbing hard objects to make them smooth, shape them, or cut through them.
9 VERB If you file an object, you smooth it, shape it, or cut it with a file. □ [V n] Manicurists are skilled at shaping and filing nails.
10 → see also nail file , rank and file
11 PHRASE Something that is on file or on someone's files is recorded or kept in a file or in a collection of information. □ His fingerprints were on file in Washington. □ We'll keep your details on file. □ It is one of the most desperate cases on her files.
12 PHRASE A group of people who are walking or standing in single file are in a line, one behind the other. □ We were walking in single file to the lake.
fi le-sharing also file sharing N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] File-sharing is a method of distributing computer files, for example files containing music, among a large number of users. [COMPUTING ] □ …legal action to close down file-sharing sites offering music for free.
fil|ial /f I liəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] You can use filial to describe the duties, feelings, or relationships which exist between a son or daughter and his or her parents. [FORMAL ] □ His father would accuse him of neglecting his filial duties.
fili|bus|ter /f I l I bʌstə r / (filibusters , filibustering , filibustered )
1 N‑COUNT A filibuster is a long slow speech made to use up time so that a vote cannot be taken and a law cannot be passed. [mainly AM ] □ The senator has threatened a filibuster to block the bill.
2 VERB If a politician filibusters , he or she makes a long slow speech in order to use up time so that a vote cannot be taken and a law cannot be passed. [mainly AM ] □ [V ] They simply threatened to filibuster until the Senate adjourns. □ [V n] A group of senators plans to filibuster a measure that would permit drilling.
fili|gree /f I l I griː/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] The word filigree is used to refer to delicate ornamental designs made with gold or silver wire.
fi l|ing cabi|net (filing cabinets ) N‑COUNT A filing cabinet is a piece of office furniture, usually made of metal, which has drawers in which files are kept.
fil|ings /fa I l I ŋz/
1 N‑PLURAL [usu n N ] Filings are very small pieces of a substance, especially a metal, that are produced when it is filed or cut. □ …iron filings. □ …metal filings.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Court filings are cases filed in a court of law. [AM , AUSTRALIAN ] □ In court filings, they argued that the settlement was inadequate.
Fili|pi|no /f I l I piː noʊ/ (Filipinos )
1 ADJ Filipino means belonging or relating to the Philippines, or to its people or culture.