Part 1805

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

<hw>Char`ac*ter*is"tic</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized.</def>

<i>Pope.</i>

<blockquote>The <b>characteristics</b> of a true critic. <i>Johnson.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Math.)</fld> <def>The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a logarithm.</def>

<h1>Characteristical</h1> <Xpage=241>

<hw>Char`ac*ter*is"tic*al</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Characteristic.</def>

<h1>Characteristically</h1> <Xpage=241>

<hw>Char`ac*ter*is"tic*al*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In a characteristic manner; in a way that characterizes.</def>

<h1>Characterization</h1> <Xpage=241>

<hw>Char`ac*ter*i*za"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The act or process of characterizing.</def>

<h1>Characterize</h1> <Xpage=241>

<hw>Char"ac*ter*ize</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Characterized</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Characterizing</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[LL. <ets>characterizare</ets>, Gr. <?/: cf. F. <ets>charact\'82riser</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or traits; to make with distinctive features.</def>

<blockquote>European, Asiatic, Chinese, African, and Grecian faces are <b>Characterized</b>. <i>Arbuthot.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To engrave or imprint.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Sir M. Hale.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To indicate the character of; to describe.</def>

<blockquote>Under the name of Tamerlane he intended to <b>characterize</b> King William. <i>Johnson.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the character of.</def>

<blockquote>The softness and effeminacy which <b>characterize</b> the men of rank in most countries. <i>W. Irving.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- To describe; distinguish; mark; designate; style; particularize; entitle.</syn>

<h1>Characterless</h1> <Xpage=241>

<hw>Char"ac*ter*less</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Destitute of any distinguishing quality; without character or force.</def>

<h1>Charactery</h1> <Xpage=241>

<hw>Char"ac*ter*y</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The art or means of characterizing; a system of signs or characters; symbolism; distinctive mark.</def>

<blockquote>Fairies use flowers for their <b>charactery</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>That which is charactered; the meaning.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>I will construe to thee All the <b>charactery</b> of my sad brows. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>