character

1. (countable) A being involved in the action of a story; a persona.Examples: "[I]n a tragedy, or epick poem, the hero of the piece must be advanced foremost to the view of the reader or spectator; he must outshine the rest of all the characters; he must appear the prince of them, like the sun in the Copernican system, encompassed with the less noble planets …"; "The stories did not seem to me to touch life. […] They left me with the impression of a well-delivered stereopticon lecture, with characters about as life-like as the shadows on the screen, and whisking on and off, at the mercy of the operator."; "But Pirates! comes with all the usual Aardman strengths intact, particularly the sense that its characters and creators alike are too good-hearted and sweet to nitpick. The ambition is all in the craft rather than in the storytelling, but it’s hard to say no to the proficiency of that craft, or the mild good cheer behind it."countable

2. (countable) A distinguishing feature; characteristic; trait; nature; phene.Examples: "A single locus governing the petal colour character was detected on the linkage group A2."; "We were not able to ascertain the character of the relationship."countable

3. (uncountable, countable) A complex of traits marking a person, group, breed, or type.Examples: "A study of the suspect's character and his cast iron alibi ruled him out."; "A man of […] thoroughly subservient character"; "Now all this was very fine, but not at all in keeping with the Celebrity's character as I had come to conceive it. The idea that adulation ever cloyed on him was ludicrous in itself. In fact I thought the whole story fishy, and came very near to saying so."countableuncountable

4. (uncountable) Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; moral strength.Examples: "He has a great deal of character."; ""You may not like to eat liver," said Calvin's father, "but it builds character.""; "Shepard: Are you attracted to other species? Kelly: Well, part of my job is predicting the motives and feelings of humans and aliens. Intimacy brings understanding. Kelly: And passion is nice wherever you find it. Character matters, not race or gender."uncountable

5. (countable) A unique or extraordinary individual; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits, especially charisma.Examples: "Julius Caesar is a great historical character."; "That bloke is such a character."; "STINGER: Don't screw around with me Maverick. You're a hell of an instinctive pilot. Maybe too good. I'd like to bust your butt but I can't. I got another problem here. I gotta send somebody from this squadron to Miramar. I gotta do something here, I still can't believe it. I gotta give you your dream shot, I'm gonna send you up against the best. You two characters are going to Top Gun."countable

6. (countable) A written or printed symbol, or letter.Examples: "It were much to be wished that there were throughout the world but one sort of character for each letter to express it to the eye."countable