BIG FIGURE Meaning and
Definition
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Big figure refers to the first few digits or the whole number part of a financial figure or statistic, generally pertaining to monetary amounts. It is commonly used in various financial contexts, such as in currency exchange rates, bond prices, stock market indices, or sales figures.
In currency exchange rates, the big figure generally refers to the main or primary digit of the rate, excluding the decimal fraction. For example, in an exchange rate of 1.2356, the big figure would be regarded as 1. In bond markets, the big figure typically represents the price of the bond, omitting the fractionally smaller portion of the price. For instance, if a bond is priced at 98 and 3/8, the big figure would be 98.
Similarly, in the stock market, the big figure generally denotes the numerical value of an index, stock, or market indicator, disregarding the decimals. For instance, if the S&P 500 is stated as 4,238.25, the big figure would be 4,000. In terms of sales figures or revenue, the big figure indicates the total amount of money earned or generated, without considering the smaller fractions or cents.
Overall, the big figure serves as a way to quickly understand or express a financial number by highlighting the most significant part of the figure, without taking into account the decimal places or fractional amounts. It allows for a simplified representation of financial data for convenience and ease of interpretation.
Etymology of BIG FIGURE
The term "big figure" refers to a large numerical amount, typically used in the context of finance and economics. The etymology of this phrase is relatively straightforward.
The word "big" has its roots in Middle English and Old English, ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic word "bugjan", meaning "to bend" or "to bend backward". Over time, "big" came to signify something large in size or magnitude.
The word "figure" comes from the Latin word "figura", which means "a shape" or "a form". In this context, it refers to a particular numerical amount or value.
When combined, "big figure" forms a phrase that signifies a significant or substantial numerical amount. It is often used to describe a whole number portion of a decimal or to refer to the larger, more prominent digits in a number.
