figure vs start

figure

verb
  • To embellish. 

  • 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 come to understand. 

  • To be reasonable. 

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. 

start

verb
  • To flinch or draw back. 

  • To begin. 

  • To awaken suddenly. 

  • To put or raise (a question, an objection); to put forward (a subject for discussion). 

  • To disturb and cause to move suddenly; to startle; to alarm; to rouse; to cause to flee or fly. 

  • To break away, to come loose. 

  • To put into play. 

  • To move suddenly from its place or position; to displace or loosen; to dislocate. 

  • To pour out; to empty; to tap and begin drawing from. 

  • To set in motion. 

  • To have its origin (at), begin. 

  • To bring onto being or into view; to originate; to invent. 

  • To jerk suddenly in surprise. 

  • To start one's periods (menstruation). 

  • To begin an activity. 

  • To ready the operation of a vehicle or machine. 

noun
  • The beginning point of a race, a board game, etc. 

  • An appearance in a sports game, horserace, etc., from the beginning of the event. 

  • The curved or inclined front and bottom of a water wheel bucket. 

  • The arm, or level, of a gin, drawn around by a horse. 

  • An initial advantage over somebody else; a head start. 

  • A handle, especially that of a plough. 

  • A young plant germinated in a pot to be transplanted later. 

  • A projection or protrusion; that which pokes out. 

  • The beginning of an activity. 

  • An instance of starting. 

  • A sudden involuntary movement. 

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