figure eight

plural figure eights · alternative figure of eight · alternative figure 8

1. The shape consisting of two circles or ovals joined together at one point, resembling the numeral 8.
2. A maneuver in which one rides, skates, or otherwise traces a path that forms a figure eight.

   The bikers pop wheelies and execute speedy figure eights along the busy street. Still, something more purposeful than joyriding would seem to be on their minds.

   2018 February, Robert Draper, “They are Watching You—and Everything Else on the Planet: Technology and Our Increasing Demand for Security have Put Us All under Surveillance. Is Privacy Becoming just a Memory?”, in National Geographic, Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 14 Jun 2018

   Synonyms: figure of eight

3. A species of puffer fish (Tetraodontidae).

present singular third person figure eights · participle present figure eighting · participle past figure eighted · past figure eighted · alternative figure of eight · alternative figure 8

1. alternativeAlternative form of figure-eight.

   An orthopedic wire is figure eighted around the Kirschner wire and pulled tight.

   1983, Surgery Operative Practice Manual: VM COLL 620 1983-1984, page 90

   3 more examples

   The four and a half ounce rod doubled and dipped and figure eighted while the line literally smoked.

   1916, Poultney Bigelow, James Henry Worman, Albert Britt, Outing - Volume 68, page 492

   The giant drifter is stowed in the foc'sl in the rolled condition, being figure eighted against the side of the bow on hooks.

   1980, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Omnibus Territorial Legislation--1980: Hearing Before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Ninety-sixth Congress

   The six anterior teeth are "figure eighted" together as well and retraced "en masse."

   1997, Craven Kurz, Contemporary Lingual Orthodontics, page 83