Character (?), n. [L., an instrument for marking, character, Gr. , fr. to make sharp, to cut into furrows, to engrave: cf. F. caractère.]
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1. A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.
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It were much to be wished that there were throughout the world but one sort of character for each letter to express it to the eye. Holder.
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2. Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the peculiar form of letters used by a particular person or people; as, “an inscription in the Runic character”.
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You know the character to be your brother's? Shak.
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3. The peculiar quality, or the sum of qualities, by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a person or thing really is; nature; disposition.
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The character or that dominion. Milton.
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Know well each Ancient's proper character;
His fable, subject, scope in every page;
Religion, Country, genius of his Age. Pope.
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A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character. Motley.
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4. Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; as, “he has a great deal of character”.
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5. Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; as, “a man of character; his character saves him from suspicion”.
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6. Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty; as, “in the miserable character of a slave; in his character as a magistrate; her character as a daughter”.
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7. The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation; as, “a man's character for truth and veracity; to give one a bad character”.
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This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it. Addison.
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8. A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant. [Colloq.]
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9. A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who illustrates certain phases of character; as, “Randolph was a character; Cæsar is a great historical character”.
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10. One of the persons of a drama or novel.
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☞ “It would be well if character and reputation were used distinctively. In truth, character is what a person is; reputation is what he is supposed to be. Character is in himself, reputation is in the minds of others. Character is injured by temptations, and by wrongdoing; reputation by slanders, and libels. Character endures throughout defamation in every form, but perishes when there is a voluntary transgression; reputation may last through numerous transgressions, but be destroyed by a single, and even an unfounded, accusation or aspersion.” Abbott.
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