CHARACTER, n. 1. A mark made by cutting or engraving, as on stone, metal or other hard material; hence, a mark or figure made with a pen or style, on paper, or other material used to contain writing; a letter, or figure used to form words, and communicate ideas. Characters are literal, as the letters of an alphabet; numeral, as the arithmetical figures; emblematical or symbolical, which express things or ideas; and abbreviations, as C. For centrum, a hundred; lb. For libra, a pound; A.D. Anno domini; &c.2. A mark or figure made by stamping or impression, as on coins.3. The manner of writing; the peculiar from of letters used by a particular person.You know the character to be your brothers4. The peculiar qualities, impressed by nature or habit on a person, which distinguish him from others; these constitute real character, and the qualities which he is supposed to possess, constitute his estimated character, or reputation. Hence we say, a character is not formed, when the person has not acquired stable and distinctive qualities.5. An account, description or representation of any thing, exhibiting its qualities and the circumstances attending it; as, to give a bad character o a town, or to a road.6. A person; as, the assembly consisted of various characters, eminent characters, and low characters.All the characters in the play appeared to advantage.The friendship of distinguished characters.7. By way of eminence, distinguished or good qualities; those which are esteemed and respected; and those which are ascribed to a person in common estimation. We enquire whether a stranger is a man of character.8. Adventitious qualities impressed by office, or station; the qualities that, in public estimation, belong to a person in a particular station; as when we ask how a magistrate, or commander supports his character.9. In natural history, the peculiar discriminating qualities or properties of animals, plants and minerals.These properties, when employed for the purpose of discriminating minerals, are called characters.CHARACTER, v.t. 1. To engrave; to inscribe.2. A particular aspect or configuration of the heavens.
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