character

character
I. noun Etymology: Middle English caracter, from Latin character mark, distinctive quality, from Greek charaktēr, from charassein to scratch, engrave; perhaps akin to Lithuanian žerti to scratch Date: 14th century 1. a. a conventionalized graphic device placed on an object as an indication of ownership, origin, or relationship b. a graphic symbol (as a hieroglyph or alphabet letter) used in writing or printing c. a magical or astrological emblem d. alphabet e. (1) writing, printing (2) style of writing or printing (3) cipher f. a symbol (as a letter or number) that represents information; also a representation of such a character that may be accepted by a computer 2. a. one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual b. (1) a feature used to separate distinguishable things into categories; also a group or kind so separated <
advertising of a very primitive character
>
(2) the detectable expression of the action of a gene or group of genes (3) the aggregate of distinctive qualities characteristic of a breed, strain, or type <
a wine of great character
>
c. the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation <
the character of the American people
>
d. main or essential nature especially as strongly marked and serving to distinguish <
excess sewage gradually changed the character of the lake
>
3. position, capacity <
his character as a town official
>
4. reference 4b 5. reputation <
the scandal has damaged his character and image
>
6. moral excellence and firmness <
a man of sound character
>
7. a. a person marked by notable or conspicuous traits <
quite a character
>
b. one of the persons of a drama or novel c. the personality or part which an actor recreates <
an actress who can create a character convincingly
>
d. characterization especially in drama or fiction e. person, individual <
a suspicious character
>
8. a short literary sketch of the qualities of a social type Synonyms: see disposition, quality, typecharacterless adjective II. transitive verb Date: 1591 1. archaic engrave, inscribe 2. a. archaic represent, portray b. characterize III. adjective Date: 1883 1. capable of portraying an unusual or eccentric personality often markedly different from the player <
a character actor
>
2. requiring the qualities of a character actor <
a character role
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Character — • A consideration of the term as it is used in psychology and ethics Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Character     Character     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Character — Char ac*ter, n. [L., an instrument for marking, character, Gr. ?, fr. ? to make sharp, to cut into furrows, to engrave: cf. F. caract[ e]re.] [1913 Webster] 1. A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol. [1913 Webster] It were much to be… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Character — Character(s) may refer to: Contents 1 Art and entertainment 2 Mathematics, science and technology 3 Symbols 4 Other …   Wikipedia

  • Character — Студий …   Википедия

  • character — Fowler (1926) argued that character should not be used (1) as an alternative to forming abstract nouns in ness, ity, etc., e.g. • Every housing site has its own unique character Country Life, 1972 [instead of uniqueness or…is unique], and (2) in… …   Modern English usage

  • character — [kar′ək tər, kar′iktər] n. [ME carecter < OFr caractère < L character, an engraving instrument < Gr charaktēr < charassein, to engrave < charax, pointed stake] 1. a distinctive mark 2. a) any letter, figure, or symbol used in… …   English World dictionary

  • character — [n1] individuality appearance, aspect, attribute, badge, bent, caliber, cast, complex, complexion, constitution, crasis, disposition, emotions, estimation, ethos, frame, frame of mind, genius, grain, habit, humor, kind, makeup, mettle, mood,… …   New thesaurus

  • character — I (an individual) noun being, body, figure, human, human being, man, mortal, party, person, personage, personality, self determined being, somebody, someone II (personal quality) noun animus, aspects, attribute, bent, characteristic mood,… …   Law dictionary

  • Character — (engl.: „Charakter“ oder „Schriftzeichen“) steht für: Char (Datentyp), einen Datentyp in der Informationstechnologie Character (Album), ein Album der Metalband Dark Tranquillity Character indelebilis, untilgbares Merkmal, Begriff aus der… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • character — (n.) early 14c., from O.Fr. caractere (13c., Mod.Fr. caractère), from L. character, from Gk. kharakter engraved mark, also symbol or imprint on the soul, from kharassein to engrave, from kharax pointed stake, from PIE root *gher to scrape,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • character — n 1 Character, symbol, sign, mark are comparable in the specific sense of an arbitrary or conventional device that is used in writing and in printing, but is neither a word nor a phrase nor a picture. Character suggests the distinctive form or… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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