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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Figurative \Fig"ur*a*tive\, adjective [L. figurativus: cf. F. figuratif. See {Figurative}.]
1. Representing by a figure, or by resemblance; typical; representative.
This, they will say, was figurative, and served, by God's appointment, but for a time, to shadow out the true glory of a more divine sanctity. --Hooker.
2. Used in a sense that is tropical, as a metaphor; not literal; -- applied to words and expressions.
3. Abounding in figures of speech; flowery; florid; as, a highly figurative description.
4. Relating to the representation of form or figure by drawing, carving, etc. See {Figure}, noun, 2.
They belonged to a nation dedicated to the figurative arts, and they wrote for a public familiar with painted form. --J. A. Symonds.
{Figurative counterpoint} or {Figurative descant}. See under {Figurate}. -- {Fig"ur*a*tive*ly}, adverb -- {Fig"ur*a*tive*ness}, noun
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
figuratively
adverb: in a figurative sense; "figuratively speaking,..." [ant: {literally}]
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