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CHARACTERIZE

 - 2 dictionary results

char⋅ac⋅ter⋅ize

  [kar-ik-tuh-rahyz]
Use CHARACTERIZE in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -ized, -iz⋅ing.
1. to mark or distinguish as a characteristic; be a characteristic of: Rich metaphors characterize his poetry.
2. to describe the character or individual quality of: He characterized her in a few well-chosen words.
3. to attribute character to: to characterize him as a coward.
Also, especially British, char⋅ac⋅ter⋅ise.

Origin:
1585–95; < ML charactērizāre < Gk charaktērízein. See character, -ize

Related forms:
char⋅ac⋅ter⋅iz⋅a⋅ble, adjective
char⋅ac⋅ter⋅iz⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To CHARACTERIZE
char·ac·ter·ize   (kār'ək-tə-rīz')   
tr.v.   character·ized, character·iz·ing, character·iz·es

  1. To describe the qualities or peculiarities of: characterized the warden as ruthless.

  2. To be a distinctive trait or mark of; distinguish: the rash and high fever that characterize this disease; a region that is characterized by its dikes and canals.

char'ac·ter·iz'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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