CHARACTERIZE, verb transitive 1. To give a character, or an account of the personal qualities of a man; to describe by peculiar qualities. 2. To distinguish; to mark, or express the character; to exhibit the peculiar qualities of a person or thing; as, humility characterizes the true Christian; the hero is characterized by bravery and magnanimity. The system of mediation has characterized the entire scheme of divine dispensation. 3. To engrave or imprint. 4. To mark with a peculiar stamp, or figure.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI