characterizev. t.[LL. characterizare, Gr. : cf. F. charactriser.]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.(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.)5. (Chem.) to identify the structure or nature of; as, the antibiotic activity in the sample was characterized by HPLC, and proved to be erythromycin.()()