character[kar′ək tər, kar′ik-]
- The definition of a character is a unique symbol, letter or mark used in writing.
- An example of character is an asterisk.
- An example of character is the at symbol.
- Character is defined as a trait, quality or high moral code.
- An example of character is someone who is known for being funny.
- An example of character is a person who is trustworthy.
This symbol is an example of a character.
- a distinctive mark
- any letter, figure, or symbol used in writing and printing
- the letters of an alphabet, collectively
- style of printing or handwriting
- a mystic symbol or magical emblem
- a code or cipher
- a distinctive trait, quality, or attribute; characteristic
- essential quality; nature; kind or sort
- the pattern of behavior or personality found in an individual or group; moral constitution
- moral strength; self-discipline, fortitude, etc.
- good reputation: left without a shred of character
- a statement about the behavior, qualities, etc. of a person, esp. as given by a former employer; reference
- status; position
- a personage: great characters in history
- a person in a play, story, novel, etc.
- a role as portrayed by an actor or actress
- Informal an odd, eccentric, or noteworthy person
- Genetics any attribute, as color, shape, etc., caused in an individual by the action of one or more genes
Origin of characterMiddle English carecter ; from Old French caractère ; from Classical Latin character, an engraving instrument ; from Classical Greek charaktēr ; from charassein, to engrave ; from charax, pointed stake
- to write, print, or inscribe
- to characterize
- Archaic to represent; portray
in (or out of) character
- a. The combination of mental characteristics and behavior that distinguishes a person or group. See Synonyms at disposition.b. The distinguishing nature of something. See Synonyms at quality.
- a. Moral strength; integrity: an educational program designed to develop character.b. Public estimation of someone; reputation: personal attacks that damaged her character.
- Biology A structure, function, or attribute of an organism, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
- a. A person considered as having a specific quality or attribute: “Being a man of the world and a public character, [he] took everything as a matter of course” (George Eliot).b. A person considered funny or eccentric: catcalls from some character in the back row.
- a. A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel.b. A person or animal portrayed with a personality in comics or animation: a cartoon character.c. Characterization in fiction or drama: a script that is weak in plot but strong in character.d. Status or role; capacity: in his character as the father.
- A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.
- A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.
- a. A mark or symbol used in a writing system.b. A Chinese character.
- Computers a. One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information.b. The numerical code representing such a character.
- Mathematics The trace function of a representation.
- a. A style of printing or writing: “Here is the hand and seal of the Duke; you know the character” (Shakespeare).b. A cipher or code for secret writing.
- Of or relating to one's character.
- a. Specializing in the interpretation of often minor roles that emphasize fixed personality traits or specific physical characteristics: a character actor.b. Of or relating to the interpretation of such roles by an actor: the character part of the hero's devoted mother.
- Dedicated to the portrayal of a person with regard to distinguishing psychological or physical features: a character sketch.
transitive verbcharac·tered, charac·ter·ing, charac·ters Archaic
- To write, print, engrave, or inscribe.
- To portray or describe; characterize.
Origin of characterMiddle English carecter, distinctive mark, imprint on the soul, from Old French caractere, from Latin charactēr, from Greek kharaktēr, from kharassein, to inscribe, from kharax, kharak-, pointed stick.
(countable and uncountable, plural characters)
- A being involved in the action of a story.
- A distinguishing feature; characteristic
- A complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person or a group.
- A study of the suspect's character and his cast iron alibi ruled him out.
- Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; moral strength.
- He has a great deal of character.
- "You may not like to eat liver," said Calvin's father, "but it builds character."
- A unique or extraordinary individual; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits, especially charisma.
- Julius Caesar is a great historical character.
- That bloke is such a character.
- A written or printed symbol, or letter.
- Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the particular form of letters used by a person or people.
- an inscription in the Runic character
- (computing) One of the basic elements making up a text file or string: a code representing a printing character or a control character.
- (informal) A person or individual, especially one who is unknown or raises suspicions.
- We saw a shady character slinking out of the office with some papers.
- (mathematics) A complex number representing an element of a finite Abelian group.
- Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty.
- in the miserable character of a slave
- in his character as a magistrate
- (dated) The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation.
- a man's character for truth and veracity
- Her actions give her a bad character.
- (dated) A reference given to a servant, attesting to his/her behaviour, competence, etc.
A comparison of character and reputation: 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.
(third-person singular simple present characters, present participle charactering, simple past and past participle charactered)
From Middle English caracter, from Old French caractere, from Latin character, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktēr, “type, nature, character”), from χαράσσω (kharassō, “I engrave”).
character - Computer Definition
A letter (e.g., a,A, b, and B), number (0, 1, 2, or 3), punctuation mark (e.g., ;, :,`, or "), or other symbol (e.g., @, #, $, or %) or control code (e.g., carriage return (CR), line feed (LF), acknowledgement (ACK), or negative acknowledgement (NAK)) that can be represented by a single data byte. See also byte.
A single alphabetic letter, numeric digit, or special symbol such as a decimal point or comma. A character is equivalent to a byte; for example, 50,000 characters take up 50,000 bytes. The word "character" itself takes up nine bytes. See character based.