Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Characterize
Char′ac-ter-ize
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Characterized
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Characterizing
.] [LL.
characterizare
, Gr. [GREEK]: cf. F. charactériser
.] 1.
To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or traits; to make with distinctive features.
European, Asiatic, Chinese, African, and Grecian faces are
Characterized
. Arbuthnot.
2.
To engrave or imprint.
[Obs.]
Sir M. Hale.
3.
To indicate the character of; to describe.
Under the name of Tamerlane he intended to
characterize
King William. Johnson.
4.
To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the character of.
Syn. – To describe; distinguish; mark; designate; style; particularize; entitle.
Webster 1828 Edition
Characterize
CHARACTERIZE
, v.t.1.
To give a character, or an account of the personal qualities of a man; to describe by peculiar qualities.2.
To distinguish; to mark, or express the character; to exhibit the peculiar qualities of a person or thing; as, humility characterizes the true Christian; the hero is characterized by bravery and magnanimity.The system of mediation has characterized the entire scheme of divine dispensation.
3.
To engrave or imprint.4.
To mark with a peculiar stamp, or figure.Definition 2024
characterize
characterize
English
Alternative forms
Verb
characterize (third-person singular simple present characterizes, present participle characterizing, simple past and past participle characterized)
- to depict someone or something a particular way (often negative)
- to determine the characteristics of
- 1998, Brian Voigt, “Glossary of Coastal Terminology”, in Department of Ecology Publication No. 98-105:
- This glossary includes terminology used in coastal science, engineering, geology, management, nearshore oceanography and the technologies that characterize, measure, describe or quantify the physical properties, processes and changes of the coastal zone.
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Derived terms
Translations
to depict someone or something a particular way
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to determine the characteristics of
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External links
- characterize in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- characterize in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911