characterize
/ˈkarəktərʌɪz
/(also characterise)
verb [with object]
1Describe the distinctive nature or features of: she characterized the period as the decade of revolution...
- It's just not accurate to characterize newspaper design as anything but dynamic.
- How could we characterise the nature of conflicts that have emerged throughout the world?
- Some historians characterize Du Bois's thinking as riddled with contradiction.
Synonyms
distinguish, make distinctive, mark, set apart, identify, specify, signalize, indicate, denote, designate, stamp;
typify, pervade, permeate, suffuse
portray, depict, present, represent, describe, outline, delineate, show, draw, sketch;
categorize, class, classify, style, brand
2(Of a feature or quality) be typical or characteristic of: the disease is characterized by weakening of the immune system...
- Australian media organizations do not seem to have been characterized by enlightened personnel practices.
- A predilection for forms over human figures characterises her work in installation art.
- It was a social relationship characterized by an unequal distribution of power and resources.
Origin
Late 16th century (in the sense 'engrave, inscribe'): from French caractériser or medieval Latin characterizare, from Greek kharaktērizein, from kharaktēr 'a stamping tool'.
- marker horizon
- marker pen
- market
- marketability
- marketable
- marketableness
- marketably
- market analysis
- market analyst
- market basket
- market behavior
- market behaviour
- market bell
- market boat
- market cap
- market capitalism
- market capitalization
- market clearing
- market cross
- market day
- market dealer
- market-driven
- market economy
- marketeer
- marketer