Characterize
Pronunciation : Char"ac*ter*ize
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [LL. characterizare, Gr. charact?riser.]
Definition : 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.
t. [imp. & p. p. Characterized; p. pr. & vb. n. Characterizing.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913