a. and sb. arch. [f. as prec. + -AL.] A. adj.
† 1. Engraved or inscribed with magical emblems.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. iii. IV. ii. (1651), 631. A Characteristicall Seal stamped in the day and hour of Venus.
2. = CHARACTERISTIC a. 1.
a. 1628. F. Greville, Wks., I. (1633), 28. Who those characteristicall Ideas conceiues.
1749. Chesterf., Lett., II. ccvii. 292. He applied himself to study with his characteristical ardour.
1826. Scott, Woodst., xvii. That little characteristical touch of vanity in his narrative.
1876. W. Clark Russell, Is He the Man? I. 51. In his oddness a characteristical flavour which a girl would relish.
3. Consisting of characteristic (speeches); in which the speakers speak in character.
1762. Kames, Elem. Crit. (1763), II. xvi. 156. What is truly the most difficult, is a characteristical dialogue upon any philosophical subject.
B. sb. = CHARACTERISTIC sb. 1.
1660. H. More, Myst. Godl., VII. v. 300. The Characteristicals of his Person.
1681. trans. Willis’ Rem. Med. Wks., Voc., Characteristical, The notes, signs or figures belonging to a Character.
