Main Entry: char·ac·ter·ize

Pronunciation: \ˈker-ik-tə-ˌrīz, ˈka-rik-\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): char·ac·ter·ized; char·ac·ter·iz·ing

Date: 1633

1 : to describe the character or quality of <characterizes him as ambitious>
2 : to be a characteristic of : distinguish <an era characterized by greed>