(verb) : ef-fingo, finxi, fictum, 3, , orig., to work out by pressing = fingendo exprimere, ἐκμάσσειν (v. fingo).—Hence
* To form, fashion (artistically—class.; most freq. in the trop. sense; cf.: formo, informo, conformo, fingo, reddo, instituo, etc.).
* Lit.: oris lineamenta in tabula: Veneris Coae pulchritudinem aspersione fortuita,Cic. Div. 1, 13, 23: sui dissimilia,id. N. D. 3, 9, 23: deum imagines in species hominum,Tac. H. 5, 5 et saep.—Poet.: (Daedalus) casus alicujus in auro,Verg. A. 6, 32; cf. id. ib. 10, 640; Luc. 5, 713: horrentes effingens crine galeros,Sil. 1, 404.
* To wipe clean, wipe out (only in the foll. passages): fiscinas spongia effingat,Cato R. R. 67, 2 (for which: fiscinas spongia tergendas, Plin. 15, 6, 6, § 22): spongiis sanguinem,Cic. Sest. 35 fin., v. Halm ad h. l.
* To rub gently, stroke: manus,Albin. Cons. ad Liv. 138; Ov. H. 20, 134 (for which: manus fingere, id. F. 5, 409).

s. TLL