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Character - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Character : (noun)
1: an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play
or film or story); "she is the main character in the
novel" [syn: fictional character, fictitious
character]
2: a characteristic property that defines the apparent
individual nature of something; "each town has a quality
all its own"; "the radical character of our demands" [syn:
quality, lineament]
3: the inherent complex of attributes that determine a persons
moral and ethical actions and reactions; "education has
for its object the formation of character"- Herbert
Spencer [syn: fiber, fibre]
4: an actor's portrayal of someone in a play; "she played the
part of Desdemona" [syn: role, theatrical role, part,
persona]
5: a person of a specified kind (usually with many
eccentricities); "a real character"; "a strange
character"; "a friendly eccentric"; "the capable type"; "a
mental case" [syn: eccentric, type, case]
6: good repute; "he is a man of character"
7: a formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential
future employer describing the person's qualifications and
dependability; "requests for character references are all
to often answered evasively" [syn: reference, character
reference]
8: a written symbol that is used to represent speech; "the
Greek alphabet has 24 characters" [syn: grapheme, graphic
symbol]
(verb)
1: engrave or inscribe characters on
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Demotic \De*mot"ic\, a. [Gr. dhmotiko`s, fr. dh^mos the people:
cf. F. d['e]motique.]
Of or pertaining to the people; popular; common.
Demotic alphabet or character, a form of writing used in
Egypt after six or seven centuries before Christ, for
books, deeds, and other such writings; a simplified form
of the hieratic character; -- called also epistolographic
character, and enchorial character. See Enchorial.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Such \Such\, a. [OE. such, sich, sech, sik, swich, swilch,
swulch, swilc, swulc, AS. swelc, swilc, swylc; akin to
OFries. selik, D. zulk, OS. sulic, OHG. sulih, solih, G.
solch, Icel. sl[=i]kr, OSw. salik, Sw. slik, Dan. slig, Goth.
swaleiks; originally meaning, so shaped. [root]192. See So,
Like, a., and cf. Which.]
1. Of that kind; of the like kind; like; resembling; similar;
as, we never saw such a day; -- followed by that or as
introducing the word or proposition which defines the
similarity, or the standard of comparison; as, the books
are not such that I can recommend them, or, not such as I
can recommend; these apples are not such as those we saw
yesterday; give your children such precepts as tend to
make them better.
And in his time such a conqueror That greater was
there none under the sun. --Chaucer.
His misery was such that none of the bystanders
could refrain from weeping. --Macaulay.
Note: The indefinite article a or an never precedes such, but
is placed between it and the noun to which it refers;
as, such a man; such an honor. The indefinite adjective
some, several, one, few, many, all, etc., precede such;
as, one such book is enough; all such people ought to
be avoided; few such ideas were then held.
2. Having the particular quality orCharacter : specified.
That thou art happy, owe to God; That thou
continuest such, owe to thyself. --Milton.
3. The same that; -- with as; as, this was the state of the
kingdom at such time as the enemy landed. ``[It] hath such
senses as we have.'' --Shak.
4. Certain; -- representing the object as already
particularized in terms which are not mentioned.
In rushed one and tells him such a knight Is new
arrived. --Daniel.
To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and
continue there a year. --James iv.
13.
Note: Such is used pronominally. ``He was the father of such
as dwell in tents.'' --Gen. iv. 20. ``Such as I are
free in spirit when our limbs are chained.'' --Sir W.
Scott. Such is also used before adjectives joined to
substantives; as, the fleet encountered such a terrible
storm that it put back. ``Everything was managed with
so much care, and such excellent order was observed.''
--De Foe.
Temple sprung from a family which . . . long
after his death produced so many eminent men, and
formed such distinguished alliances, that, etc.
--Macaulay.
Such is used emphatically, without the correlative.
Now will he be mocking: I shall have such a life.
--Shak.
Such was formerly used with numerals in the sense of
times as much or as many; as, such ten, or ten times as
many.
Such and such, or Such or such, certain; some; -- used to
represent the object indefinitely, as already
particularized in one way or another, or as being of one
kind or another. ``In such and such a place shall be my
camp.'' --2 Kings vi. 8. ``Sovereign authority may enact a
law commanding such and such an action.'' --South.
Such like or character, of the like kind.
And many other such like things ye do. --Mark vii.
8.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Character : \Char"ac*ter\, n. [L., an instrument for marking,
character, Gr. ?, fr. ? to make sharp, to cut into furrows,
to engrave: cf. F. caract[`e]re.]
1. A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.
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.
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.
You know the character to be your brother's? --Shak.
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.
The character or that dominion. --Milton.
Know well each Ancient's proper character; His
fable, subject, scope in every page; Religion,
Country, genius of his Age. --Pope.
A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character.
--Motley.
4. Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality;
as, he has a great deal of character.
5. Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the
life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from
suspicion.
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.
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.
This subterraneous passage is much mended since
Seneca gave so bad a character of it. --Addison.
8. A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc.,
given to a servant. [Colloq.]
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; C[ae]sar is a great historical character.
10. One of the persons of a drama or novel.
Note: ``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.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Character : \Char"ac*ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Charactered.]
1. To engrave; to inscribe. [R.]
These trees shall be my books. And in their barks my
thoughts I 'll character. --Shak.
2. To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe;
to characterize. [R.] --Mitford.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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CHARACTER, evidence. The opinion generally entertained of a person derived
from the common re 'port of the people who are acquainted with him. 3 Serg.
& R. 336; 3 Mass. 192; 3 Esp. C. 236.
2. There are three classes of cases on which the moralCharacter : and
conduct of a person in society may be used in proof before a jury, each
resting upon particular and distinct grounds. Such evidence is admissible,
1st. To afford a presumption that a particular party has not been guilty of
a criminal act. 2d. To affect the damages in particular cases, where their
amount depends on the character and conduct of any individual; and, 3d. To
impeach or confirm the veracity of a witness.
3.-1. Where the guilt of an accused party is doubtful, and the
character of the supposed agent is involved in the question, a presumption
of innocence arises from his former conduct in society, as evidenced by his
general character, since it is not probable that a person of known probity
and humanity, would commit a dishonest or outrageous act in the particular
instance. Such presumptions, however, are so remote from fact, and it is
frequently so difficult to estimate a person's real character, that
they are entitled to little weight, except in doubtful cases. Since the law
considers a presumption of this nature to be admissible, it is in principle
admissible 'Whenever a reasonable presumption arises from it, as to the fact
in question; in practice it is admitted whenever the character of the party
is involved in the issue. See 2 St. Tr. 1038 1 Coxes Rep. 424; 5 Serg. & R.
352 3 Bibb, R. 195; 2 Bibb, R. 286; 5 Day, R. 260; 5 Esp. C. 13; 3 Camp. C.
519; 1 Camp. C. 460; Str. R. 925. Tha. Cr. Cas. 230; 5 Port. 382.
4.-2. In some instances evidence in disparagement of character is
admissible, not in order to prove or disprove the commission of a particular
fact, but with a view to damages. In actions for criminal conversation with
the plaintiff's wife, evidence may be given of the wife's general bad
character, for want of chastity, and even of particular acts of adultery
committed by her, previous to her intercourse with the defendant. B. N. P.
27, 296; 12 Mod. 232; 3 Esp. C. 236. See 5 Munf. 10. In actions for slander
and libel, when the defendant has not justified, evidence of the plaintiff's
bad character has also been admitted. 3 Camp. C. 251; 1 M. & S. 284; 2 Esp.
C. 720; 2 Nott & M'Cord, 511; 1 Nott & M'Cord, 268; and see 11 Johns. R. 38;
1 Root, R. 449; 1 Johns. R. 46; 6 Penna. St. Rep. 170. The ground of
admitting such evidence is, that a person of disparaged fame is not entitled
to the same measure of damages with one whose character is unblemished.
When, however, the defendant justifies the slander, it seems to be doubtful
whether the evidence of reports as to the conduct and character of the
plaintiff can be received. See 1 M. & S. 286, n (a) 3 Mass. R. 553 1 Pick.
R. 19. When evidence is admitted touching the general character of a party,
it is manifest that it is to be confined to matters in reference to the
nature of the, charge against him. 2 Wend. 352.
5.-3. The party against whom a witness is called, may disprove the
fact& stated by him, or may examine other witnesses as to his general
character; but they will not be allowed to speak of particular facts or
parts of his conduct. B. N. P. 296. For example, evidence of the general
character of a prosecutrix for a rape, may be given, as that she was a
street walker; but evidence of specific acts of criminality cannot be
admitted. 3 Carr. & P. 589. The regular mode is to inquire whether the
witness under examination has the means of knowing the former witness
general character, and whether from such knowledge he would believe, him on
his oath. 4 St. Tr. 693; 4 Esp. C. 102. In answer to such evidence against
character, the other party may cross-examine the witness as to his means of
knowledge, and the grounds of his opinion; or he may attack such witness
general character, and by fresh evidence support the character of his own. 2
Stark. C. 151; Id. 241; St. Ev. pt. 4, 1753 to 1758; 1 Phil. Ev. 229. A
party cannot give evidence to confirm the good character of a witness,
unless his general character has been impugned by his antagonist. 9 Watts,
R. 124. See, in general, as to character, Phil. Ev. Index, tit. Character;
Stark. Ev. pl. 4, 364 Swift's Ev. 140 to 144 5 Ohio R. 227; Greenl. Ev. Sec.
54; 3 Hill, R. 178 Bouv. Inst. Index, h.t.
Based on Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [Bouvier_Law_Dictionary]:
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Character :
An atom in a character repertoire.
Compare with glyph.
(1998-10-18)
Based on Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [Bouvier_Law_Dictionary]:
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Example Usage of Character |
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LordRedhand: Which puts me against a majority of the internet fandom as they seem to favor a Character-driven model, I prefer a "story" driven model |
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zzlzhou: Wilson's such a great Character. |
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ChanceP83: Forgiven. RT @hitchmichael Did @NathanFillion also mention "Dr. Mathias" is just a Character & that n real life I dont really cut up brains? |
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