character

alphabet, letter, character, script

quality, property, feature, characteristic, peculiarity, trait, attribute, character

temper, character, nature, personality, disposition, complexion

名词 character:

1. an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
   同义词：fictional character, fictitious character
2. a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something
   同义词：quality, lineament
3. the inherent complex of attributes that determine a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions- Herbert Spencer
   同义词：fiber, fibre
4. an actor's portrayal of someone in a play
   同义词：role, theatrical role, part, persona
5. a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities)
   同义词：eccentric, type, case
6. good repute
7. a formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability
   同义词：reference, character reference
8. a written symbol that is used to represent speech
   同义词：grapheme, graphic symbol
9. (genetics) an attribute (structural or functional) that is determined by a gene or group of genes

动词 character:

1. engrave or inscribe characters on

1. It is out of character to do that.
   那样做不合适。
2. He is firm in character.
   他性格坚强。
3. The statements were of political character.
   这种声明具有政治性质。
4. I wish this book was written in bigger character.
   我希望这本书的字再大一点儿。

char.ac.ter

n.（名词）
The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another.See Synonyms at disposition
性质，特性：使与其他人、群体或事物相区别的性质或特征的集合参见 disposition
A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, a group, or a category.See Synonyms at quality See Synonyms at type
特色，特征：个人、集体或范畴的区别性特征或属性参见 quality参见 type
Genetics A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or group of genes.
【遗传学】 基因型：由一个基因或一组基因决定的一种组织、功能或属性
Moral or ethical strength.
道德力量，伦理力量
A description of a person`s attributes, traits, or abilities.
人格，性向：某人品质、性格、能力的描述
A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.
推荐信：由雇主给予以前的雇员的有关其能力或可信任性的正式书面陈述；推荐信
Public estimation of someone; reputation:
声名，声誉；名誉：
例句：
personal attacks that damaged her character.
损害她声誉的人身攻击

Status or role; capacity:
身份，角色；能力：
例句：
in his character as the father.
以父亲的身份

A notable or well-known person; a personage.
杰出人物，知名人物；显要
A person, especially one who is peculiar or eccentric:
怪人：人，尤指与众不同的人或古怪的人：
例句：
a shady character; catcalls from some character in the back row.
可疑的怪人；后排一些人喝倒彩

A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel.
人物，角色：艺术作品中塑造的人物，如戏剧或小说
Characterization in fiction or drama:
刻画，形容：小说或戏剧中的人物描写：
例句：
a script that is weak in plot but strong in character.
一本情节简单却人物刻画深入的剧本

A mark or symbol used in a writing system.
符号，字体：文字系统里的符号或标记
Computer Science
【计算机科学】
One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information.
字符：用来表示信息的一组符号的一个，如字母或数字
The multibit code representing such a character.
符号：代表此种字符的多重二进制代码
A style of printing or writing.
印刷风格，写作风格
A symbol used in secret writing; a cipher or code.
暗码，密码，代码：用于秘密书写的符号；暗码或密码
adj.（形容词）
Of or relating to one`s character.
特质的：某人特质的或与其有关的

Specializing in the interpretation of often minor roles that emphasize fixed personality traits or specific physical characteristics:
性格的：专长常为次要角色的表演的，侧重于具有固定的性格特征或特定的身体特征的：
例句：
a character actor.
性格演员

Of or relating to the interpretation of such roles by an actor:
性格描写的：演员对这种角色的表演的，或与其相关的：
例句：
the character part of the hero`s devoted mother.
塑造男主角的慈母的角色

Dedicated to the portrayal of a person with regard to distinguishing psychological or physical features:
具有个人特色的：致力于在突出的心理或生理特征方面刻画人物的：
例句：
a character sketch.
性格描写

Law Of or relating to a person who gives testimony as to the moral and ethical reputation or behavior of one engaged in a lawsuit:
【法律】 为人格做证的：在法律案件中为他人的道德品质的声誉或行为作证的人的，或与其相关的：
例句：
a character witness.
见证人

v.tr.（及物动词）
charac.tered,charac.ter.ing,charac.ters 【古语】
To write, print, engrave, or inscribe.
书写，印刷，刻写，铬刻
To portray or describe.
塑造，描写

<习惯用语>in character
Consistent with someone`s general character or behavior:
相符的：与某人特性或行为相符的：
例句：
behavior that was totally in character.
与特性完全相符的行为

out of character
Inconsistent with someone`s general character or behavior:
不相符的：与某人特性或行为不相符的：
例句：
a response so much out of character that it amazed me.
回答与其性格如此不符，使我感到吃惊

来源：
Middle English carecter [distinctive mark, imprint on the soul]
中古英语 carecter [区别性的符号，灵魂上的印记]
from Old French caractere
源自 古法语 caractere
from Latin charactôr
源自 拉丁语 charactôr
from Greek kharaktôr
源自 希腊语 kharaktôr
from kharassein [to inscribe]
源自 kharassein [铭刻]
from kharax [pointed stick]
源自 kharax [带尖的棍子]

【引伸】
char.acterless
adj.（形容词）