figure 9

noun

A technical climbing technique used in ice climbing to gain a respite and lessen slack and distance from the undersurface/ceiling which one is climbing underneath, which appears like a number "9" in shape, with one arm anchoring the climber to the surface while hanging upside-down, and one leg wrapped around that arm, forming a figurative "9" in shape.

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Meanings

nounfigure 9 (plural figure 9s)

plural figure 9s · alternative figure nine

  1. climbingA technical climbing technique used in ice climbing to gain a respite and lessen slack and distance from the undersurface/ceiling which one is climbing underneath, which appears like a number "9" in shape, with one arm anchoring the climber to the surface while hanging upside-down, and one leg wrapped around that arm, forming a figurative "9" in shape.

Origin

From figure + 9. From the shape of the glyph "9", and creating a figure akin to that shape.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

figure 9. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/figure%209

MLA

“figure 9.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/figure%209. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “figure 9,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/figure%209.

Source: figure 9 on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.