the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.
2.
one such feature or trait; characteristic.
3.
moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character.
4.
qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: It takes character to face up to a bully.
5.
reputation: a stain on one's character.
6.
good repute.
7.
an account of the qualities or peculiarities of a person or thing.
8.
a person, esp. with reference to behavior or personality: a suspicious character.
9.
Informal. an odd, eccentric, or unusual person.
10.
a person represented in a drama, story, etc.
11.
a part or role, as in a play or film.
12.
a symbol as used in a writing system, as a letter of the alphabet.
13.
the symbols of a writing system collectively.
14.
a significant visual mark or symbol.
15.
status or capacity: the character of a justice of the peace.
16.
a written statement from an employer concerning the qualities of a former employee.
17.
Literature. (esp. in 17th- and 18th-century England) a formal character sketch or descriptive analysis of a particular human virtue or vice as represented in a person or type. Compare character sketch.
18.
Genetics. any trait, function, structure, or substance of an organism resulting from the effect of one or more genes as modified by the environment.
19.
Computers.
a.
any symbol, as a number, letter, punctuation mark, etc., that represents data and that, when encoded, is usable by a machine.
b.
one of a set of basic symbols that singly or in a series of two or more represents data and, when encoded, is usable in a computer.
20.
a style of writing or printing.
21.
Roman Catholic Theology. the ineffaceable imprint received on the soul through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and ordination.
22.
(formerly) a cipher or cipher message.
–adjective
23.
Theater.
a.
(of a part or role) representing a personality type, esp. by emphasizing distinctive traits, as language, mannerisms, physical makeup, etc.
b.
(of an actor or actress) acting or specializing in such roles.
–verb (used with object) Archaic.
24.
to portray; describe.
25.
to engrave; inscribe.
—Idioms
26.
in character,
a.
in harmony with one's personal character or disposition: Such behavior is not in character for him.
b.
in accordance with the role or personality assumed in a performance: an actor in character.
27.
out of character,
a.
out of harmony with one's personal character or disposition: Her remarks were out of character.
b.
away from the role or personality assumed in a performance: The actor stepped out of character.
[Origin: 1275–1325; < L < Gk charaktr graving tool, its mark, equiv. to charak- (base of charáttein to engrave) + -tér agent suffix; r. ME caractere < MF < L, as above]
—Related forms
char·ac·ter·less, adjective
—Synonyms 1.Character,individuality,personality refer to the sum of the characteristics possessed by a person. Character refers esp. to moral qualities, ethical standards, principles, and the like: a man of sterling character. Individuality refers to the distinctive qualities that make one recognizable as a person differentiated from others: a woman of strong individuality. Personality refers particularly to the combination of outer and inner characteristics that determine the impression that a person makes upon others: a child of vivid or pleasing personality. 5. name, repute. See reputation.14. sign.
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.
[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.]
c.1315, from O.Fr. caractere, from L. character, from Gk. kharakter "engraved mark," from kharassein "to engrave," from kharax "pointed stake." Meaning extended by metaphor to "a defining quality."
"You remember Eponina, who kept her husband alive in an underground cavern so devotedly and heroically? The force of character she showed in keeping up his spirits would have been used to hide a lover from her husband if they had been living quietly in Rome. Strong characters need strong nourishment." [Stendhal, "De l'Amour" 1822]
Sense of "person in a play or novel" is first attested 1664, in reference to the "defining qualities" he or she is given by the author. The Latin ch- spelling was restored 1500s. Characteristic is from 1664.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story); "she is the main character in the novel" [syn: fictional character]
2.
a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something; "each town has a quality all its own"; "the radical character of our demands" [syn: quality]
3.
the inherent complex of attributes that determines a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions; "education has for its object the formation of character"- Herbert Spencer
4.
an actor's portrayal of someone in a play; "she played the part of Desdemona"
5.
a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities); "a real character"; "a strange character"; "a friendly eccentric"; "the capable type"; "a mental case"
6.
good repute; "he is a man of character"
7.
a formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability; "requests for character references are all too often answered evasively"
8.
a written symbol that is used to represent speech; "the Greek alphabet has 24 characters"
9.
(genetics) an attribute (structural or functional) that is determined by a gene or group of genes
the set of qualities that make someone or something different from others; type Example: You can tell a man's character from his handwriting; Publicity of this character is not good for the firm.
Arabic:
شَخْصِيَّه
Chinese (Simplified):
特征
Chinese (Traditional):
特徵
Czech:
povaha, charakter
Danish:
egenskab; personlighed
Dutch:
karakter
Estonian:
iseloom
Finnish:
luonne
French:
caractère; genre
German:
der Charakter
Greek:
χαρακτήρας
Hungarian:
jelleg
Icelandic:
skapgerð, lunderni
Indonesian:
watak
Italian:
carattere, genere
Japanese:
性格
Korean:
성격, 타입
Latvian:
raksturs
Lithuanian:
charakteris
Norwegian:
(egen)art, natur, karakter
Polish:
charakter
Portuguese (Brazil):
caráter
Portuguese (Portugal):
carácter
Romanian:
fire; gen
Russian:
характер
Slovak:
povaha
Slovenian:
značaj; vrsta
Spanish:
carácter
Swedish:
karaktär, natur, beskaffenhet
Turkish:
kişilik, karakter
character2[ˈkӕrəktə]noun
a set of qualities that are considered admirable in some way Example: He showed great character in dealing with the danger.
Arabic:
صِفات، سَجايا
Chinese (Simplified):
品质
Chinese (Traditional):
品質
Czech:
charakter
Danish:
karakterstyrke
Dutch:
karaktersterkte
Estonian:
iseloomukindlus
Finnish:
luonteenlujuus
French:
caractère
German:
die Persönlichkeit
Greek:
χαρακτήρας
Hungarian:
jellem
Icelandic:
skapfesta
Indonesian:
sifat
Italian:
carattere
Japanese:
人格
Korean:
인격
Latvian:
raksturīgas iezīmes; personība
Lithuanian:
asmenybė, charakteris
Norwegian:
karakterstyrke
Polish:
osobowość, charakter
Portuguese (Brazil):
caráter
Portuguese (Portugal):
carácter
Romanian:
caracter
Russian:
характер
Slovak:
charakter
Slovenian:
značaj
Spanish:
carácter
Swedish:
karaktär
Turkish:
üstün bir özellik, takdir edilecek bir özellik
character3[ˈkӕrəktə]noun
reputation Example: They tried to damage his character.
Arabic:
سُمْعَه، شُهْرَه
Chinese (Simplified):
名声
Chinese (Traditional):
名聲
Czech:
pověst
Danish:
rygte; ry; navn
Dutch:
reputatie
Estonian:
maine
Finnish:
maine
French:
réputation
German:
der Ruf
Greek:
φήμη, υπόληψη
Hungarian:
hírnév
Icelandic:
mannorð
Indonesian:
reputasi
Italian:
reputazione
Japanese:
評判
Korean:
명성
Latvian:
reputācija
Lithuanian:
reputacija
Norwegian:
rykte, ry, navn
Polish:
reputacja
Portuguese (Brazil):
reputação
Portuguese (Portugal):
reputação
Romanian:
reputaţie
Russian:
репутация
Slovak:
povesť
Slovenian:
dober glas
Spanish:
reputación
Swedish:
anseende, rykte
Turkish:
ün, şöhret, nam
character4[ˈkӕrəktə]noun
a person in a play, novel etc Example: Rosencrantz is a minor character in Shakespeare's `Hamlet'.
Arabic:
شَخْصِيَّه رِوائِيَّه, * مَسرحيه
Chinese (Simplified):
角色
Chinese (Traditional):
角色
Czech:
postava (ve hře)
Danish:
figur; skikkelse; person; rolle
Dutch:
figuur, personage
Estonian:
tegelaskuju
Finnish:
henkilö(hahmo)
French:
personnage
German:
die Rolle
Greek:
πρόσωπο έργου
Hungarian:
alak, személy
Icelandic:
persóna
Indonesian:
tokoh
Italian:
personaggio
Japanese:
登場人物
Korean:
인물, 배역
Latvian:
tēls; personāžs
Lithuanian:
personažas, veikėjas
Norwegian:
figur, skikkelse, person; rolle
Polish:
postać
Portuguese (Brazil):
personagem
Portuguese (Portugal):
personagem
Romanian:
personaj
Russian:
персонаж
Slovak:
postava
Slovenian:
oseba (v igri)
Spanish:
personaje
Swedish:
rollfigur, diktad person
Turkish:
karakter
character5[ˈkӕrəktə]noun
an odd or amusing person Example: This fellow's quite a character!
Arabic:
شَخْصٌ غَريبُ الأطْوار
Chinese (Simplified):
怪人
Chinese (Traditional):
怪人
Czech:
podivín; číslo
Danish:
original
Dutch:
type
Estonian:
veidrik
Finnish:
tyyppi
French:
numéro
Greek:
τύπος
Hungarian:
személyiség, figura
Icelandic:
furðufugl, sérkennilegur
Indonesian:
menyenangkan
Italian:
personaggio; originale
Japanese:
変わり者
Korean:
괴짜
Latvian:
tips
Lithuanian:
tipas
Norwegian:
original
Polish:
dziwak
Portuguese (Brazil):
figura
Portuguese (Portugal):
personalidade
Romanian:
personaj
Russian:
оригинал
Slovak:
zvláštny človek
Slovenian:
čudak
Spanish:
tipo, figura
Swedish:
personlighet, lustig typ (kurre)
Turkish:
ilginç kişi
character6[ˈkӕrəktə]noun
a letter used in typing etc Example: Some characters on this typewriter are broken.
Main Entry: char·ac·ter Pronunciation: 'kar-ik-t&r Function: noun 1: one of the attributes or features that make up and
distinguish 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 and
often individualizing a person, group, or nation
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.
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Audio Help [kar-ik-ter] Pronunciation Key 
r graving tool, its mark, equiv. to charak- (base of charáttein to engrave) + -tér agent suffix; r. ME caractere < MF < L, as above
r
k-t
