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.
Char"ac*ter*ism (?), n. [Gr. &?; a characterizing.] A distinction of character; a characteristic. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Char`ac*ter*is"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. charactÚristique.] Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive.
Characteristic clearness of temper.
Macaulay.
Char`ac*ter*is"tic, n. 1. A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized. Pope.
The characteristics of a true critic.
Johnson.