Definition of Characterize

1. Verb. Describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of. "This poem can be characterized as a lament for a dead lover"


2. Verb. Be characteristic of. "What characterizes a Venetian painting?"
Exact synonyms: Characterise
Generic synonyms: Differentiate, Distinguish, Mark
Specialized synonyms: Individuate, Define
Derivative terms: Character, Character

Definition of Characterize

1. v. t. To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or traits; to make with distinctive features.

Definition of Characterize

1. Verb. To depict someone or something a particular way (often negative.) ¹

2. Verb. To determine the characteristics of. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Characterize

1. [v -IZED, -IZING, -IZES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Characterize

characteristic emission
characteristic function
characteristic polynomial
characteristic polynomials
characteristic radiation
characteristical
characteristically
characteristicalness
characteristick
characteristicness
characteristics
characterizability
characterizable
characterization
characterizations
characterize
characterized
characterizer
characterizers
characterizes
characterizing
characterizing group
characterless
characterlessly
characterlessness
characterlike
characterologic
characterological
characterologically
characterology

Literary usage of Characterize

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Library of Literary Criticism of English and American Authors by Charles Wells Moulton (1904)
"It is difficult to know how to characterize Martin Tupper, whose strange productions have perhaps called forth more ridicule and sold more copies than those ..."

2. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1912)
"... delay, or defraud him, in the collection of his demand. unless there be fraud or malice concurring to characterize and distinguish them. ..."

3. Dictionary of Philosophy and Psychology: Including Many of the Principal by James Mark Baldwin (1901)
"The last two named characterize what is called aesthetic and ethical WORTH (qv). The coefficients on the basis of which belief in the reality of the ..."

4. The Auk: Quarterly Journal of Ornithology by American Ornithologists' Union, Nuttall Ornithological Club (1876)
"... 434; Jacob's West Virginia Bird Notes, 435; Heft III, 428 ; Clark on the amount of Difference that should characterize Species and Subspecies, ..."

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