Synonyms for characters


Grammar : Noun
Spell : kar-ik-ter
Phonetic Transcription : ˈkær ɪk tər

Top 10 synonyms for characters Other synonyms for the word characters

Définition of characters

Origin :
  • mid-14c., carecter, "symbol marked or branded on the body;" mid-15c., "symbol or drawing used in sorcery," from Old French caratere "feature, character" (13c., Modern French caractère), from Latin character, from Greek kharakter "engraved mark," also "symbol or imprint on the soul," also "instrument for marking," from kharassein "to engrave," from kharax "pointed stake," from PIE root *gher- "to scrape, scratch." Meaning extended in ancient times by metaphor to "a defining quality."
  • You remember Eponina, who kept her husband alive in an underground cavern so devotedly and heroically? The force of character she showed in keeping up his spirits would have been used to hide a lover from her husband if they had been living quietly in Rome. Strong characters need strong nourishment. [Stendhal "de l'Amour," 1822]
  • Meaning "sum of qualities that define a person" is from 1640s. Sense of "person in a play or novel" is first attested 1660s, in reference to the "defining qualities" he or she is given by the author. Meaning "a person" in the abstract is from 1749; especially "eccentric person" (1773). Colloquial sense of "chap, fellow" is from 1931. The Latin ch- spelling was restored from 1500s. Character actor attested from 1861; character assassination from 1888; character-building (n.) from 1886.
  • noun individuality
  • noun integrity
  • noun odd person
  • noun written symbol
  • noun portrayal of another
Example sentences :
  • But thou knowest their characters; and I will not therefore sully my paper with them.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • Perhaps it will be answered, Are not the characters then taken from life?
  • Extract from : « Joseph Andrews, Vol. 2 » by Henry Fielding
  • They are driven by their lives and characters; I am driven by mine.'
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • Her first estimate of the characters of the two men seemed to be correct.
  • Extract from : « A Woman Intervenes » by Robert Barr
  • They're all the way round, and clear through, his characters are.
  • Extract from : « The Mystery of Murray Davenport » by Robert Neilson Stephens
  • There's no doubt about the thoroughness and consistency of Scott's characters.
  • Extract from : « The Mystery of Murray Davenport » by Robert Neilson Stephens
  • A most glorious achievement, and worthy to be writ in characters of gold.
  • Extract from : « Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 2 August 1848 » by Various
  • Several of the characters are original and splendid creations.
  • Extract from : « Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 2 August 1848 » by Various
  • They were characters in their way as well as their mistresses.
  • Extract from : « The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851 » by Various
  • There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it.
  • Extract from : « A Zola Dictionary » by J. G. Patterson

Antonyms for characters

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019