characterize
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Medieval Latin characterizare, from Ancient Greek χαρακτηρίζω (kharaktērizō, “to designate by a characteristic mark”), from χαρακτήρ (kharaktēr, “a mark, character”).
Verb
characterize (third-person singular simple present characterizes, present participle characterizing, simple past and past participle characterized)
- to depict someone or something a particular way (often negative)
- to determine the characteristics of
- 1998, Brian Voigt, “Glossary of Coastal Terminology”, in Department of Ecology Publication No. 98-105[1]:
- This glossary includes terminology used in coastal science, engineering, geology, management, nearshore oceanography and the technologies that characterize, measure, describe or quantify the physical properties, processes and changes of the coastal zone.
- 1998, Brian Voigt, “Glossary of Coastal Terminology”, in Department of Ecology Publication No. 98-105[1]:
Derived terms
Translations
to depict someone or something a particular way
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to determine the characteristics of
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External links
- characterize in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- characterize in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911