Characterize
/ˈkærəktəraɪz/noun
To describe the distinctive qualities or nature of someone or something.
Did you know?In Renaissance occult writing, a “character” could mean a specially designed magical sign or talismanic symbol believed to encode spiritual power.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr)
“An engraved mark, stamp, or distinctive sign”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χαράσσειν (kharássein)
“To sharpen, scratch, or engrave”
Late Antiquity
Latin
character
“A mark, distinctive quality, or symbol”
13th–14th Century
Old French
caractere / caractériser
“To mark, describe, or distinguish by a defining quality”
16th Century
English
characterize
“To describe or mark out by distinctive features”
Modern English
English
characterize
“To identify or describe the defining nature of something”
Explore more surprising origins