characterization etymology

Etymology

  • Characterize: Middle English caracterizen, from Anglo-French caracteriser, from Late Latin characterizare, from Greek kharaktērizein, from kharaktēr ("distinctive mark, characteristic")

Meaning

  • To describe the distinctive qualities or traits of someone or something.
  • To assign a particular character or role to someone or something.
  • To serve as a distinguishing feature or attribute of someone or something.

Origin

The origin of the word "characterization" lies in the Greek word "kharaktēr," which originally meant "a mark, a stamp, or an impression." Over time, the meaning of "kharaktēr" evolved to encompass the distinctive qualities or traits of a person or thing.

The use of "characterization" in the English language dates back to the 15th century. Initially, it was primarily used in a literal sense, referring to the act of marking or impressing something with a distinctive mark. However, by the 16th century, the word had begun to be used more figuratively, to describe the process of describing or defining the distinctive qualities of someone or something.

In modern English, "characterization" is a commonly used term in literature, drama, and psychology. It refers to the process of creating and developing characters in a story or other work of art, as well as the distinctive qualities or traits that define those characters.

characterization relate terms

  • characterize

    Etymology Definition The study of the origin and history of words and their meanings O

  • characterization

    Etymology Characterize Middle English caracterizen from Anglo French caracteriser fro

  • character

    Character Etymology Meaning and Origin Etymology The word character derives from th

  • characterisation

    Etymology Characterisation also known as characterization is derived from the Greek w

  • characterization

    Etymology Characterize Middle English caracterizen from Anglo French caracteriser fro

  • picture

    Etymology The word picture comes from the Latin word pictura meaning painting or pi

  • rigmarole

    Etymology Middle English rigmarole from Anglo Norman rigmarole from the Anglo Norman

  • persona

    Etymology The word persona is derived from Latin where it originally referred to a th

  • impression

    Etymology The word impression comes from the Latin word impressio which means a mar

  • character

    Character Etymology Meaning and Origin Etymology The word character derives from th

  • description

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the history of words their origins and how their f

  • epithet

    Epithet Etymology Derived from the Greek word epítheton meaning something added on

  • role

    Etymology The word role originates from the Old French word rolle which in turn com

  • rapt

    Etymology The word rapt comes from the Latin word rapere meaning to seize or to c

  • part

    Part Etymology Middle English in the sense portion portion of a whole from Old