Part 1804

<blockquote>You know the <b>character</b> to be your brother's? <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>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.</def>

<blockquote>The <b>character</b> or that dominion. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Know well each Ancient's proper <b>character</b>; His fable, subject, scope in every page; Religion, Country, genius of his Age. <i>Pope.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>A man of . . . thoroughly subservient <b>character</b>. <i>Motley.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; <as>as, he has a great deal of <ex>character</ex></as>.</def>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; <as>as, a man of <ex>character</ex>; his <ex>character</ex> saves him from suspicion.</as></def>

<p><b>6.</b> <def>Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty; <as>as, in the miserable <ex>character</ex> of a slave; in his <ex>character</ex> as a magistrate; her <ex>character</ex> as a daughter.</as></def>

<p><b>7.</b> <def>The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation; <as>as, a man's <ex>character</ex> for truth and veracity; to give one a bad <ex>character</ex>.</as></def>

<blockquote>This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a <b>character</b> of it. <i>Addison.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>8.</b> <def>A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant.</def> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark>

<p><b>9.</b> <def>A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who illustrates certain phases of character; <as>as, Randolph was a <ex>character</ex>; C\'91sar is a great historical <ex>character</ex>.</as></def>

<p><b>10.</b> <def>One of the persons of a drama or novel.</def>

<note>&hand; "It would be well if <i>character</i> and <i>reputation</i> 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."

<i>Abbott.</i> </note>

<h1>Character</h1> <Xpage=240>

<hw>Char"ac*ter</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Charactered</er> <tt>(?)</tt>.]</wordforms>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To engrave; to inscribe.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<blockquote>These trees shall be my books. And in their barks my thoughts I 'll <b>character</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe; to characterize.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Mitford.</i>

<hr> <page="241"> Page 241<p>

<h1>Characterism</h1> <Xpage=241>

<hw>Char"ac*ter*ism</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Gr. <?/ a characterizing.]</ety> <def>A distinction of character; a characteristic.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Bp. Hall.</i>

<h1>Characteristic</h1> <Xpage=241>

<hw>Char`ac*ter*is"tic</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Gr. <?/: cf. F. <ets>charact\'82ristique</ets>.]</ety> <def>Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive.</def>

<blockquote><b>Characteristic</b> clearness of temper. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>