Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Characterize \Char"ac*ter*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   {Characterized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Characterizing}.] [LL.
   characterizare, Gr. ?: cf. F. charact['e]riser.]
   1. To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or
      traits; to make with distinctive features.

            European, Asiatic, Chinese, African, and Grecian
            faces are Characterized.              --Arbuthnot.

   2. To engrave or imprint. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.

   3. To indicate the character of; to describe.

            Under the name of Tamerlane he intended to
            characterize King William.            --Johnson.

   4. To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the
      character of.

            The softness and effeminacy which characterize the
            men of rank in most countries.        --W. Irving.

   Syn: To describe; distinguish; mark; designate; style;
        particularize; entitle.

Source : WordNet®

characterize
     v 1: describe or portray the character or the qualities or
          peculiarities of; "You can characterize his behavior as
          that of an egotist"; "This poem can be characterized as
          a lament for a dead lover" [syn: {qualify}, {characterise}]
     2: be characteristic of; "What characterizes a Venetian
        painting?" [syn: {characterise}]