characterize

Etymology

From Medieval Latin characterizare, from Ancient Greek χαρακτηρίζω (kharaktērízō, “to designate by a characteristic mark”), from χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “a mark, character”). Synchronically analyzable as character + -ize.

verb

1. (transitive) To depict someone or something a particular way (often negative).
   [Stephen] Miller’s uncle, a neuroscientist, has been welcomed onto the public stage for his denunciations of his nephew’s immigration policies, which the elder Miller has characterized as hypocritical: the Millers’ not-so-distant Jewish ancestors were, of course, immigrants themselves. 2019-7-15, Greg Afinogenov, “The Jewish Case for Open Borders”, in Jewish Currents, number Summer 2019
2. (transitive) To be typical of.
   There is no way to avoid the slight cups, crooks, bows and twists that characterize wood. 1980, Robert M. Jones, editor, Walls and Ceilings, Time-Life Books, page 82
3. (transitive) To determine the characteristics of.
   This glossary includes terminology used in coastal science, engineering, geology, management, nearshore oceanography and the technologies that characterize, measure, describe or quantify the physical properties, processes and changes of the coastal zone. 1998, Brian Voigt, “Glossary of Coastal Terminology”, in Department of Ecology Publication No. 98-105