ˈkærɪktə n. & v. --n. 1
the collective qualities or characteristics,
esp.
mental and moral,
that distinguish a
person or
thing. 2 a moral
strength (has a
weak character). b
reputation, esp.
good reputation. 3 a a person in a novel,
play, etc. b a
part played by an
actor; a
role. 4 colloq. a person, esp. an
eccentric or
outstanding individual (he's a real character). 5 a a printed or
written letter,
symbol, or
distinctive mark (Chinese characters). b Computing
any of a
group of symbols representing a letter etc. 6 a written
description of a person's qualities; a
testimonial. 7 a
characteristic (esp. of a
biological species). --v.tr.
archaic inscribe;
describe. øcharacter actor an actor
who specializes in playing eccentric or
unusual persons. character assassination a
malicious attempt to
harm or
destroy a person's good reputation. in (or
out of) character
consistent (or inconsistent)
with a person's character. øøcharacterful adj. characterfully adv. characterless adj. [ME f. OF caractere f. L character f. Gk kharakter
stamp, impress]
