charactery en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- /kəˈɹæk.təɹ.i/ (archaic)
- /ˈkæɹ.ək.təɹ.i/
- /ˈkæɹ.ək.tɹi/
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek χαράσσω (kharássō) Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Hellenic *-tḗr Ancient Greek -τήρ (-tḗr) Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr)der. Latin charactērder. Old French caracterebor. Middle English caracter English character Proto-Indo-European *-(i)yós Proto-Italic *-ijos Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -ia Old French -ieder. Middle English -ie Middle English -y English -y ▲ English character Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzios Latin -āriusnom. Latin -ārius Old French -ier ▲ Old French -ie Old French -eriebor. Middle English -erie English -ery English charactery From character + -y or + -ery.
Meanings
- (countable, obsolete, uncountable) The art or means of characterizing.
- (countable, obsolete, uncountable) a system of signs or characters, i.e. symbolism.
- (countable, obsolete, uncountable) A distinctive mark.
-
(countable, obsolete, uncountable) Something which has a meaning.
I will construe to thee All the charactery of my sad brows.
1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:Sometimes she looked at Raymond, as if to say—That it should be so! At others her countenance expressed—I will still do all I can to make you happy. But Adrian read with uncertain aim the charactery of her face, and might mistake.—Clara was always with her, and she seemed most at ease
1826, [Mary Shelley], The Last Man. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| characteries | Number=Plur | lexicographic |