What does "characterize" mean?

Characterize: To engrave or imprint. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To indicate the character of; to describe. Under the name of Tamerlane he intended to characterize King William. Johnson.
  2. 3.To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the character of. The softness and effeminacy which characterize the men of rank in most countries. W. Irving.

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