subs. (colloquial).—A man or woman exhibiting some prominent (and usually contemptible) trait; an eccentric; a CASE (q.v.). Generally used with such adjectives as ‘low,’ ‘queer,’ ‘comic,’ etc.—[From CHARACTER = a personage in history or fiction: one who has distinguished him or herself.] For synonyms, see ODD FISH.
1773. GOLDSMITH, She Stoops to Conquer, ii., 1. Mar. A very impudent fellow this! but he’s a CHARACTER, and I’ll humour him a little.
1820–33. LAMB, The Last Essays of Elia, ‘Poor Relations.’ You are fond of having a CHARACTER at your table, and truly he is one.
