figuraient

Figuraient is the third-person plural imperfect indicative form of the French verb figurer. The imperfect tense describes ongoing or repeated past actions or states and is often used to set the scene in narrative prose. In this form, figuraient indicates that several items appeared, were listed, or were depicted at a past time.

The verb figurer has senses including to figure, to appear in a document or list, to be depicted on a map or chart, and to constitute part of a whole. Its etymology traces to Latin figura and Old French figurer. It is a regular -er verb.

Usage and nuance: Figuraient is commonly found in historical, journalistic, and descriptive writing, where past states are described. It is used with subjects such as noms, lieux, chiffres, or éléments to express that they were shown or included in sources or representations at a given period. It contrasts with the present figurent and with other past tenses that indicate completed actions.

Examples: Several noms figuraient sur la liste; Sur la carte, plusieurs lieux figuraient; Les chiffres figuraient dans le rapport. (Translations: Several names appeared on the list; On the map, several places appeared; The figures appeared in the report.)

Conjugation note: Figuraient is the imperfect third-person plural form; other imperfect forms include je figurais, tu figurais, il figurait, nous figurions, vous figuriez.