Kharaktēr
/khaˈrak.tɛːr/noun
An ancient Greek term meaning an engraved mark, distinctive sign, or identifying trait.
Did you know?The Greek word could describe letters stamped or carved into objects, helping inspire the later idea that a person’s “character” is a permanent inner mark.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Greek, before the 5th century BCE
Greek
kharássō
“To sharpen, scratch, or engrave.”
Classical Greek
Greek
kharaktḗr
“An engraving tool, engraved mark, stamp, or distinctive sign.”
Hellenistic Greek
Greek
χαρακτήρ
“A distinguishing mark or identifying feature, including a written or stamped sign.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
character
“A written sign, symbol, or distinguishing quality, borrowed from Greek.”
13th Century
Old French
caractere
“A written letter, sign, or distinctive quality.”
14th Century
Middle English
caracter
“A letter, symbol, or mark; later also a person’s moral qualities.”
Modern English
English
character
“A person’s distinctive qualities, a fictional person, or a written or printed symbol.”
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