braid vs figure

braid

noun
  • A weave of three or more strands of fibers, ribbons, cords or hair often for decoration. 

  • A tubular sheath made of braided strands of metal placed around a central cable for shielding against electromagnetic interference. 

  • A stranded wire composed of a number of smaller wires twisted together 

verb
  • To weave together, intertwine (strands of fibers, ribbons, etc.); to arrange (hair) in braids. 

  • To mix, or make uniformly soft, by beating, rubbing, or straining, as in preparing food. 

figure

noun
  • A visible pattern as in wood or cloth. 

  • A number, an amount. 

  • A drawing or diagram conveying information. 

  • A human figure, which dress or corset must fit to; the shape of a human body. 

  • A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a strain or passage; a motif; a florid embellishment. 

  • The form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term. 

  • A figure of speech. 

  • The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career of a person. 

  • A person or thing representing a certain consciousness. 

  • A numeral. 

  • A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses. 

  • Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as a group of chords, which produce a single complete and distinct impression. 

  • The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modelling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body. 

  • A shape. 

  • Any complex dance moveᵂ. 

verb
  • To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize. 

  • To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords. 

  • To calculate, to solve a mathematical problem. 

  • To enter into; to be a part of. 

  • To think, to assume, to suppose, to reckon. 

  • To embellish with design; to adorn with figures. 

  • To embellish. 

  • To come to understand. 

  • To be reasonable. 

How often have the words braid and figure occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )