characterise

/'kæriktəraiz/ Cách viết khác : (characterise) /'kæriktəraiz/

Thân thiện

The scientist uses a single trait to characterise the entire species.

Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):
   • To describe or portray the distinctive nature, qualities, or features of someone or something: To identify and state the key characteristics that define a subject.
   • To be a typical or defining feature of something: To serve as a characteristic that is emblematic of a particular person, group, or thing.

Usage and Examples

• To describe distinctive qualities:
  • The report aims to characterise the economic trends of the past decade.
  • She characterised the manager's leadership style as collaborative and inclusive.
• To be a typical or defining feature:
  • A strong sense of melody characterises the composer's early work.
  • Patience and resilience characterise successful entrepreneurs.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• In academic or analytical writing: Often used to succinctly define the essence of a complex subject.
  • The study characterises the interaction between the two proteins as mutually inhibitory.
• In criticism or review: Used to summarize the nature of artistic work or behavior.
  • Critics have characterised the novel's tone as bleak yet compassionate.

Variants and Related Words

• Characterisation (Noun): The act of characterizing; a description of qualities.
  • The author's characterisation of the villain is particularly nuanced.
• Characteristic (Adjective/Noun): Typical of a person, place, or thing / A feature or quality.
  • His characteristic honesty is well known. Honesty is one of his defining characteristics.

Synonyms

• Describe: To give an account in words.
• Portray: To depict in a particular way.
• Typify: To be representative or symbolic of.
• Define: To state the precise nature of.

Antonyms

• Misrepresent: To give a false or misleading account of.
• Confuse: To make unclear; to fail to distinguish.

Common Collocations and Phrases

• Characterise something as...: To label or describe something in a specific way.
  • He characterised the proposal as unrealistic.
• Be characterised by...: To have as a defining feature.
  • The region is characterised by its volcanic landscape.

Học thuật

Verb

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
2. be characteristic of
   • What characterizes a Venetian painting?

Từ đồng nghĩa

• qualify
• characterize