'Characterize' definitions:

Definition of 'characterize'

From: WordNet
verb
Describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of; "You can characterize his behavior as that of an egotist"; "This poem can be characterized as a lament for a dead lover" [syn: qualify, characterize, characterise]
verb
Be characteristic of; "What characterizes a Venetian painting?" [syn: characterize, characterise]

Definition of 'Characterize'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Synonyms of 'characterize'

From: Moby Thesaurus