characterize

- 2 dictionary results

char⋅ac⋅ter⋅ize

[kar-ik-tuh-rahyz]

–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

char·ac·ter·ize (kār'ək-tə-rīz')

tr.v. character·ized, character·iz·ing, character·iz·es

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

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