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Webster 1913 Edition

Character

Char′ac-ter

,
Noun.
[L., an instrument for marking, character, Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] to make sharp, to cut into furrows, to engrave: cf. F.
caractère
.]
1.
A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.
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.
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
.
You know the
character
to be your brother’s?
Shakespeare
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.
The
character
or that dominion.
Milton.
Know well each Ancient's proper
character
;
His fable, subject, scope in every page;
Religion, Country, genius of his Age.
Pope.
A man of . . . thoroughly subservient
character
.
Motley.
4.
Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality;
as, he has a great deal of
character
.
5.
Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life;
as, a man of
character
; his
character
saves him from suspicion
.
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
.
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
.
This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a
character
of it.
Addison.
8.
A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant.
[Colloq.]
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
; Cæsar is a great historical
character
.
10.
One of the persons of a drama or novel.
☞ “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.

Char′ac-ter

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Charactered
.]
1.
To engrave; to inscribe.
[R.]
These trees shall be my books.
And in their barks my thoughts I 'll
character
.
Shakespeare
2.
To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe; to characterize.
[R.]
Mitford.

Definition 2024

charácter

charácter

See also: character

Portuguese

Noun

charácter m (plural charácteres)

  1. Obsolete spelling of caráter (used in Portugal until September 1911 and died out in Brazil during the 1920s).

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