character

¹char·ac·ter

noun \ˈker-ik-tər, ˈka-rik-\

Definition of CHARACTER

1

a : a conventionalized graphic device placed on an object as an indication of ownership, origin, or relationship b : a graphic symbol (as a hieroglyph or alphabet letter) used in writing or printing c : a magical or astrological emblem d : alphabet e (1) : writing, printing (2) : style of writing or printing (3) : cipher f : a symbol (as a letter or number) that represents information; also : a representation of such a symbol that may be accepted by a computer

2

a : one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual b (1) : a feature used to separate distinguishable things into categories; also : a group or kind so separated <advertising of a very primitive character> (2) : the detectable expression of the action of a gene or group of genes (3) : the aggregate of distinctive qualities characteristic of a breed, strain, or type <a wine of great character> c : the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation <the character of the American people> d : main or essential nature especially as strongly marked and serving to distinguish <excess sewage gradually changed the character of the lake>

3

: position, capacity <his character as a town official>

4

: reference 4b

5

: reputation <the scandal has damaged his character and image>

6

: moral excellence and firmness <a man of sound character>

7

a : a person marked by notable or conspicuous traits <quite a character> b : one of the persons of a drama or novel c : the personality or part which an actor recreates <an actress who can create a character convincingly> d : characterization especially in drama or fiction e : person, individual <a suspicious character>

8

: a short literary sketch of the qualities of a social type

— char·ac·ter·less \-ləs\ adjective

— in character

: in accord with a person's usual qualities or traits <behaving in character>

— out of character

: not in accord with a person's usual qualities or traits <his rudeness was completely out of character>

Examples of CHARACTER

1. the unique character of the town
2. The building is very simple in character.
3. Their house has a lot of character.
4. … this makes everyone believe not only that anyone can be a parent, but also that everyone ought to do it, even those who seem by character or inclination to be ill equipped. —Anna Quindlen, Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2009
5. “Beat” is old carny slang. According to Beat Movement legend (and it is a movement with a deep inventory of legend), Ginsberg and Kerouac picked it up from a character named Herbert Huncke, a gay street hustler and drug addict from Chicago who began hanging around Times Square in 1939 … —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2007
6. Someone with Alzheimer's may undergo a regression to a “second childhood,” but aspects of one's essential character, of personality and personhood, of self, survive … —Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia, (2007) 2008
7. Slowly, steadily, Och and Chris passed along their knowledge of the characterof various courses, and the way a race evolves tactically. —Lance Armstrong, It's Not About the Bike, (2000) 2001
8. Her character struck the Swede back then as a compound in which you'd find just about everything toxic to desperation and dread. At the core of her he could imagine a nucleus of confidence plaited just as neatly and tightly as her braided hair. —Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997

Origin of CHARACTER

Middle English caracter, from Latin character mark, distinctive quality, from Greek charaktēr, from charassein to scratch, engrave; perhaps akin to Lithuanian žerti to scratch

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CHARACTER

Synonyms: glyph, icon (also ikon), sign, symbol

Antonyms: badness, evil, evildoing, immorality, iniquity, sin, villainy, wickedness

Related Words: cipher, letter, numeral; hieroglyph, ideogram, pictogram, pictograph; rune

Near Antonyms: conformer, conformist, follower, sheep

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at disposition, quality, type

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal