Char"ac*ter , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Charactered
(?).]
1. To engrave; to inscribe. [R.]
These trees shall be my
books.
And in their barks my thoughts I 'll character.
Shak.
2. To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe; to characterize. [R.]
Mitford.
Char"ac*ter (?), n. [L., an instrument for marking, character, Gr.
&?;, fr. &?; to make sharp, to cut
into furrows, to engrave: cf. F.
caractère.]
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; Cæsar is a
great historical character.
10.
One of the persons of a
drama or novel.
&fist; "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.
Hear it pronounced