'Character' definitions:

Definition of 'character'

From: WordNet
noun
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, fictitious character, character]
noun
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, character, lineament]
noun
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 [syn: character, fiber, fibre]
noun
An actor's portrayal of someone in a play; "she played the part of Desdemona" [syn: character, role, theatrical role, part, persona]
noun
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" [syn: character, eccentric, type, case]
noun
Good repute; "he is a man of character"
noun
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" [syn: character, reference, character reference]
noun
A written symbol that is used to represent speech; "the Greek alphabet has 24 characters" [syn: character, grapheme, graphic symbol]
noun
(genetics) an attribute (structural or functional) that is determined by a gene or group of genes
verb
Engrave or inscribe characters on

Definition of 'Character'

From: GCIDE
  • Character \Char"ac*ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Charactered.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. To engrave; to inscribe. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • These trees shall be my books. And in their barks my thoughts I 'll character. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe; to characterize. [R.] --Mitford. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Character'

From: GCIDE
  • Character \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.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • You know the character to be your brother's? --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • The character or that dominion. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Know well each Ancient's proper character; His fable, subject, scope in every page; Religion, Country, genius of his Age. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character. --Motley. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; as, he has a great deal of character. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from suspicion. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • 8. A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 10. One of the persons of a drama or novel. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'character'

From: Moby Thesaurus