characterize
UK /ˈkæɹəktəɹaɪz/ · US /ˈkɛɹəktəɹaɪz/ verb
Forms characterizes characterizing characterized characterise
- verb (transitive) To depict someone or something a particular way (often negative).
- verb (transitive) To be typical of.
- verb (transitive) To determine the characteristics of.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Medieval Latin charactērizō, from Ancient Greek χαρακτηρίζω (kharaktērízō, “to designate by a characteristic mark”), from χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “a mark, character”). By surface analysis, character + -ize.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or traits; to make with distinctive features.
- verb To engrave or imprint. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.
Etymology [LL. characterizare, Gr. charactériser.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “characterize”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details