Characterizing

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Characterize \Char"ac*ter*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     {Characterized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Characterizing}.] [LL.
     characterizare, Gr. ?: cf. F. charact['e]riser.]
     1. To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or
        traits; to make with distinctive features.
        [1913 Webster]


  
              European, Asiatic, Chinese, African, and Grecian
              faces are Characterized.              --Arbuthnot.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To engrave or imprint. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To indicate the character of; to describe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Under the name of Tamerlane he intended to
              characterize King William.            --Johnson.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the
        character of.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The softness and effeminacy which characterize the
              men of rank in most countries.        --W. Irving.
  
     5. (Chem.) to identify the structure or nature of; as, the
        antibiotic activity in the sample was characterized by
        HPLC, and proved to be erythromycin.
        [PJC]
  
     Syn: To describe; distinguish; mark; designate; style;
          particularize; entitle.
          [1913 Webster]