The DICT Development Group

  Character \Char"ac*ter\, n. [L., an instrument for marking,
     character, Gr. ?, fr. ? to make sharp, to cut into furrows,
     to engrave: cf. F. caract[`e]re.]
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     1. A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.
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              It were much to be wished that there were throughout
              the world but one sort of character for each letter
              to express it to the eye.             --Holder.
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     2. Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the peculiar
        form of letters used by a particular person or people; as,
        an inscription in the Runic character.
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              You know the character to be your brother's? --Shak.
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     3. 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.
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              The character or that dominion.       --Milton.
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              Know well each Ancient's proper character;
              His fable, subject, scope in every page;
              Religion, Country, genius of his Age. --Pope.
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              A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character.
                                                    --Motley.
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     4. Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality;
        as, he has a great deal of character.
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     5. Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the
        life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from
        suspicion.
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     6. Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct
        with respect to a certain office or duty; as, in the
        miserable character of a slave; in his character as a
        magistrate; her character as a daughter.
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     7. The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or
        thing; reputation; as, a man's character for truth and
        veracity; to give one a bad character.
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              This subterraneous passage is much mended since
              Seneca gave so bad a character of it. --Addison.
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     8. A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc.,
        given to a servant. [Colloq.]
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     9. A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person
        characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who
        illustrates certain phases of character; as, Randolph was
        a character; C[ae]sar is a great historical character.
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     10. One of the persons of a drama or novel.
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     Note: "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." --Abbott.
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  Character \Char"ac*ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Charactered.]
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     1. To engrave; to inscribe. [R.]
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              These trees shall be my books.
              And in their barks my thoughts I 'll character.
                                                    --Shak.
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     2. To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe;
        to characterize. [R.] --Mitford.
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