char·ac·ter   (kār'ək-tər)    n.   The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another. See Synonyms at disposition. A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category. See Synonyms at quality. Genetics A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or group of genes. Moral or ethical strength. A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities. A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation. Public estimation of someone; reputation: personal attacks that damaged her character. Status or role; capacity: in his character as the father. A notable or well-known person; a personage. A person, especially one who is peculiar or eccentric: a shady character; catcalls from some character in the back row. A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel. Characterization in fiction or drama: a script that is weak in plot but strong in character. One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information. The numerical code representing such a character. A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel. Characterization in fiction or drama: a script that is weak in plot but strong in character. One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information. The numerical code representing such a character. A mark or symbol used in a writing system. Computer Science One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information. The numerical code representing such a character. A style of printing or writing. A symbol used in secret writing; a cipher or code. adj.   Of or relating to one's character. Specializing in the interpretation of often minor roles that emphasize fixed personality traits or specific physical characteristics: a character actor. Of or relating to the interpretation of such roles by an actor: the character part of the hero's devoted mother. Dedicated to the portrayal of a person with regard to distinguishing psychological or physical features: a character sketch. Law Of or relating to a person who gives testimony as to the moral and ethical reputation or behavior of one engaged in a lawsuit: a character witness. tr.v.   charac·tered, charac·ter·ing, charac·ters Archaic To write, print, engrave, or inscribe. To portray or describe. [Middle English carecter, distinctive mark, imprint on the soul, from Old French caractere, from Latin charactēr, from Greek kharaktēr, from kharassein, to inscribe, from kharax, kharak-, pointed stick.] char'ac·ter·less adj.

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.]

1. A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.

It were much to be wished that there were throughout the world but one sort of character for each letter to express it to the eye. --Holder.

2. Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the peculiar form of letters used by a particular person or people; as, an inscription in the Runic character.

You know the character to be your brother's? --Shak.

3. The peculiar quality, or the sum of qualities, by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a person or thing really is; nature; disposition.

The character or that dominion. --Milton.

Know well each Ancient's proper character; His fable, subject, scope in every page; Religion, Country, genius of his Age. --Pope.

A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character. --Motley.

4. Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; as, he has a great deal of character.

5. Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from suspicion.

6. Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty; as, in the miserable character of a slave; in his character as a magistrate; her character as a daughter.

7. The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation; as, a man's character for truth and veracity; to give one a bad character.

This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it. --Addison.

8. A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant. [Colloq.]

9. A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who illustrates certain phases of character; as, Randolph was a character; C[ae]sar is a great historical character.

10. One of the persons of a drama or novel.

Note: "It would be well if character and reputation were used distinctively. In truth, character is what a person is; reputation is what he is supposed to be. Character is in himself, reputation is in the minds of others. Character is injured by temptations, and by wrongdoing; reputation by slanders, and libels. Character endures throughout defamation in every form, but perishes when there is a voluntary transgression; reputation may last through numerous transgressions, but be destroyed by a single, and even an unfounded, accusation or aspersion." --Abbott.

character

A person in a literary work. For example, Ebenezer Scrooge is a character in A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.

character 

Main Entry: char·ac·ter
Pronunciation: 'kar-ik-t&r
Function: noun
1 : one of the attributes or features that make up anddistinguish the individual
2 : the detectable expression of the action of a gene or group of genes
3 : the complex of mental and ethical traits marking andoften individualizing a person, group, or nation

character char·ac·ter (kār'ək-tər)
n.
An attribute, trait, or distinct structural or functional feature. Also called characteristic.

character   (kār'ək-tər)  Pronunciation Key  Genetics A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or a group of genes. Computer Science A symbol, such as a letter, number, or punctuation mark, that occupies one byte of memory. See more at ASCII.

character character
An atom in a character repertoire.
Compare with glyph.
(1998-10-18)

character

see in character; out of character.

character

in biology, any observable feature, or trait, of an organism, whether acquired or inherited. An acquired character is a response to the environment; an inherited character is produced by genes transmitted from parent to offspring (their expressions are often modified by environmental conditions). One gene may affect many characters; one character may be controlled by many genes. A character controlled by only a few genes is known as an oligogenic, discontinuous, or qualitative character; a character controlled by many genes is termed polygenic, continuous, or quantitative. A genetically controlled character may be termed dominant when its controlling genes are powerful enough to mask the effect of other genes (alleles) that control an alternative character, termed recessive

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