character

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A person in a story, film, or play.

   I am the main character in the novel of my life.

2. 2
   noun

   The qualities that make someone's personality and decide how they behave.

   Honesty is an important part of her character.

3. 3
   noun

   A letter, number, or symbol used in writing.

   The Greek alphabet has 24 characters.

4. 4
   noun

   An unusual or interesting person.

   Her grandfather was a real character.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Character goes back to Greek kharaktēr, “a stamping tool.” In English it first meant a distinguishing mark, then by the early 16th century a feature or trait, from which its later senses developed.

From Middle English caracter, from Old French caractere, from Latin character, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “type, nature, character”), from χαράσσω (kharássō, “to engrave”). Doublet of charakter.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary