||Cha"ra (?), n. [NL., of uncertain origin.] (Bot.) A genus of flowerless plants, having articulated stems and whorled branches. They flourish in wet places.
||Char`-a-bancs" (?), n.; pl. Chars-a-banc (#). [F.] A long, light, open vehicle, with benches or seats running lengthwise.
Char"act (?), n. A distinctive mark; a character; a letter or sign. [Obs.] See Character.
In all his dressings, characts, titles, forms.
Shak.
Char"ac*ter (?), n. [L., an instrument for marking, character, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to make sharp, to cut into furrows, to engrave: cf. F. caractŔre.]