[f. next; see -ATION.] The action or result of characterizing.
† 1. The marking out of the precise form of anything; the form, mold or stamp thus impressed.
1570. Dee, Math Pref., 33. The Symmetrie … Characterization … of any parcell of the sayd body.
1667. Boyle, Orig. Formes & Qual., 135. Characterization or Stamp of Matter.
2. Distinction by means of peculiar features or characteristics.
1879. De Quatrefages, Human Spec., 107. It is the law of permanent characterisation which alone permits Darwin to explain the filiation of groups.
3. Description of characteristics or essential features; portrayal in words.
1814. Monthly Rev., LXXIV. 362. An impartial and a morally meritorious characterization are in some cases inconsistent.
1876. M. Arnold, Lit. & Dogma, 98. John the Baptist’s characterisation of the Messiah.
1885. Clodd, Myths & Dr., I. ix. 137. Emerson’s happy characterisation of language as fossil poetry and fossil history.
4. Creation of fictitious characters.
1866. Felton, Anc. & Mod. Gr., I. xii. 508. A force of characterization, worthy of the genius of Shakespeare.
1870. Athenæum, 21 May, 681. Touchstone and Audrey … showing capital characterizations, dashingly and spiritedly painted.
1882. A. W. Ward, Dickens, vii. 212. That highest part of the novelist’s art, which we call characterisation.
