- character
- char|ac|terW1S1 [ˈkærıktə US -ər] n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(all somebody's qualities)¦2¦(person)¦3¦(qualities of something)¦4¦(moral strength)¦5¦(interesting quality)¦6¦(reputation)¦7¦(letter/sign)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: caractere, from Latin character 'mark, particular quality', from Greek, from charassein 'to make a mark in a surface']1.) ¦(ALL SOMEBODY'S QUALITIES)¦ [C usually singular]the particular combination of qualities that makes someone a particular type of person▪ He has a cheerful but quiet character.▪ Children grow up with a mixture of character traits (=character qualities) from both sides of their family.▪ his temper and other character flaws (=bad qualities)in character/out of character(=typical or untypical of someone's character)▪ He swore, which was out of character for him.the English/French etc character▪ Openness is at the heart of the American character.character sketch(=a description of someone's character)2.) ¦(PERSON)¦a) a person in a book, play, film etc▪ Candida is the most interesting character in the play.main/central character▪ In the story, the main character has left his girlfriend and baby.▪ Everyone recognizes Disney's cartoon characters .b) a person of a particular type, especially a strange or dishonest one▪ a couple of shady characters standing on the corner▪ I'm considered a reformed character these days (=someone who has stopped doing bad things) .c) an interesting and unusual person▪ Linda was something of a character.3.) ¦(QUALITIES OF SOMETHING)¦ [singular,U]the particular combination of features and qualities that makes a thing or place different from all others= ↑nature character of▪ The whole character of the school has changed.▪ the unspoilt character of the coastin character▪ The southern state became more nationalist in character.4.) ¦(MORAL STRENGTH)¦[U]a combination of qualities such as courage, loyalty, and honesty that are admired and regarded as valuable▪ a woman of great character▪ Schools were created to teach reading and mathematics, not moral character.▪ It takes strength of character to admit you are wrong.▪ outdoor programs that are meant to be character building (=develop good moral qualities)5.) ¦(INTERESTING QUALITY)¦[U]a quality that makes someone or something special and interesting▪ a red wine with a meaty character▪ suburban houses that lack character6.) ¦(REPUTATION)¦[U] formalthe opinion that people have about whether you are a good person and can be trusted▪ a man of previous good character▪ The campaign was accused of character assassination (=an unfair attack on someone's character) because of its negative ads.▪ His defence called several people as character witnesses (=people who think that someone has a good character) .▪ Mr Wetherby wrote him a character reference (=a statement about his good qualities) .7.) ¦(LETTER/SIGN)¦a letter, mark, or sign used in writing, printing, or on a computer▪ the Chinese character for horse
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
