Characterize

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /ˈkɛɹəktəɹaɪz/, /ˈkæɹəktəɹaɪz/
• RP IPA: /ˈkæɹəktəɹaɪz/
• Hyphenation: char + ac + ter + ize

Alternative forms

• characterise

Origin

From Medieval Latin characterizare, from Ancient Greek χαρακτηρίζω (kharaktērizō, "to designate by a characteristic mark"), from χαρακτήρ (kharaktēr, "a mark, character"). Synchronically analyzable as character + -ize.

Full definition of characterize

Verb

1. to depict someone or something a particular way (often negative)
2. to determine the characteristics of
• 1998, Brian Voigt, Department of Ecology Publication No. 98-105 Chapter Glossary of Coastal Terminology, This glossary includes terminology used in coastal science, engineering, geology, management, nearshore oceanography and the technologies that characterize, measure, describe or quantify the physical properties, processes and changes of the coastal zone.

Derived terms

• characterization