CHARACTER

I. noun Etymology: Middle English caracter, from Latin ~ mark, distinctive quality, from Greek charaktēr, from charassein to scratch, engrave; perhaps akin to Lithuanian žerti to scratch Date: 14th century 1. a conventionalized graphic device placed on an object as an indication of ownership, origin, or relationship, a graphic symbol (as a hieroglyph or alphabet letter) used in writing or printing, a magical or astrological emblem, alphabet , e. writing , printing , style of writing or printing, cipher , a symbol (as a letter or number) that represents information, 2. one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual, b. a feature used to separate distinguishable things into categories, the detectable expression of the action of a gene or group of genes, the aggregate of distinctive qualities ~istic of a breed, strain, or type , the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation , main or essential nature especially as strongly marked and serving to distinguish , position , capacity , reference 4b, reputation , moral excellence and firmness , 7. a person marked by notable or conspicuous traits , one of the persons of a drama or novel, the personality or part which an actor recreates , ~ization especially in drama or fiction, person , individual , a short literary sketch of the qualities of a social type, see: disposition ~less adjective II. transitive verb Date: 1591 engrave , inscribe , 2. represent , portray , ~ize , III. adjective Date: 1883 capable of portraying an unusual or eccentric personality often markedly different from the player , requiring the qualities of a ~ actor