- Characterizing
- Characterize Char"ac*ter*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Characterized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Characterizing}.] [LL.
characterizare, Gr. ?: cf. F. charact['e]riser.]
1. To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or
traits; to make with distinctive features.
[1913 Webster]
European, Asiatic, Chinese, African, and Grecian faces are Characterized. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]
2. To engrave or imprint. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale. [1913 Webster]
3. To indicate the character of; to describe. [1913 Webster]
Under the name of Tamerlane he intended to characterize King William. --Johnson. [1913 Webster]
4. To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the character of. [1913 Webster]
The softness and effeminacy which characterize the men of rank in most countries. --W. Irving.
5. (Chem.) to identify the structure or nature of; as, the antibiotic activity in the sample was characterized by HPLC, and proved to be erythromycin. [PJC]
Syn: To describe; distinguish; mark; designate; style; particularize; entitle. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.