characterize Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
    qualify; characterise.
    • You can characterize his behavior as that of an egotist
    • This poem can be characterized as a lament for a dead lover
  2. verb be characteristic of
    characterise.
    • What characterizes a Venetian painting?

WordNet

Char"ac*ter*ize transitive verb
Etymology
LL. characterizare, Gr. : cf. F. charactériser.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Characterized ; present participle & verbal noun Characterizing
Definitions
  1. To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or traits; to make with distinctive features.
    European, Asiatic, Chinese, African, and Grecian faces are Characterized. Arbuthot.
  2. To engrave or imprint. Obs. Sir M. Hale.
  3. To indicate the character of; to describe.
    Under the name of Tamerlane he intended to characterize King William. Johnson.
  4. To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the character of.
    The softness and effeminacy which characterize the men of rank in most countries. W. Irving.
    Syn. -- To describe; distinguish; mark; designate; style; particularize; entitle.

Webster 1913