character English · revision 3444

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1333|origins=grc χαρακτήρ}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈkær.ək.tə/, US /ˈker.ək.tɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|caracter]], [[bor|fro|caractere]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) from [[la|charactēr|t=mark, distinctive quality]],^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[grc|χαρακτήρ|tr=kharaktḗr|t=instrument for marking; engraved mark; distinctive nature]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) from [[m|grc|χαράσσω|tr=kharássō|t=to engrave, cut furrows]], from [[m|grc|χάραξ|tr=khárax|t=pointed stake]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) a word of uncertain origin which Beekes thinks most probably Pre-Greek.^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster compares Lithuanian žerti “to scratch”,^(MW Collegiate) and Klein suggests a Semitic origin.^(Klein 1966) The Latin spelling with ch- was restored in the 16th century.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A symbol marked on the body or an imprint on the soul: before 1333,^(Barnhart 1988) or about 1315 as a distinctive mark or brand.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A symbol used in sorcery is from 1449,^(HTOED) or the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) and a letter of the alphabet from 1490.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) Word Origins notes that by the early 16th century the word meant “feature, trait”, from which the modern senses have evolved;^(Cresswell 2021) Etymonline explains that Greek ''kharaktḗr'' had already been extended in Hellenistic times to “a defining quality”.^(Etymonline) The sum of qualities that distinguish a person is from the 1640s,^(Etymonline) or the 17th century,^(Hoad 1986) and moral qualities by repute from 1712.^(Etymonline) A person in a play or novel is from the 1660s, a person generally from 1749, and an eccentric from 1773.^(Etymonline) A computer character is from 1949.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1333 – a mark on the body or soul.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1449 – a magical symbol.^(HTOED)

+ * 1490 – a letter.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED)

+ * early 16th century – a feature, trait.^(Cresswell 2021)

+ * 1640s – a person's qualities.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1660s – a person in a play.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1712 – reputation.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1773 – an eccentric.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1949 – a computer character.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The combination of qualities that distinguishes one person or thing from another; nature.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Moral strength, [[integrity]]; reputation.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A person in a novel, play or film.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(informal)'' An odd or interesting person.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A letter, figure or symbol used in writing or printing.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(genetics)'' A trait determined by a gene.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(archaic)'' To engrave, inscribe; to describe.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[characterless]]

+ * [[characterful]]

+ * [[charactery]]

+ * [[charactonym]]

+ * [[characterize]]

+ * [[characterisation]]

+ * [[characterization]]

+ * [[characteristic]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}