Characterise vs. Characterize

be characteristic of;

Example: ‘What characterizes a Venetian painting?’;

describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of;

Example: ‘You can characterize his behavior as that of an egotist’; ‘This poem can be characterized as a lament for a dead lover’;

(transitive) To depict someone or something a particular way (often negative).

(transitive) To be typical of.

(transitive) To determine the characteristics of.

To make distinct and recognizable by peculiar marks or traits; to make with distinctive features.

Example: ‘European, Asiatic, Chinese, African, and Grecian faces are Characterized.’;

To engrave or imprint.

To indicate the character of; to describe.

Example: ‘Under the name of Tamerlane he intended to characterize King William.’;

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

Example: ‘The softness and effeminacy which characterize the men of rank in most countries.’;

to identify the structure or nature of; as, the antibiotic activity in the sample was characterized by HPLC, and proved to be erythromycin.

describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of;

Example: ‘You can characterize his behavior as that of an egotist’; ‘This poem can be characterized as a lament for a dead lover’;

be characteristic of;

Example: ‘What characterizes a Venetian painting?’;