1. [n]  the inherent complex of attributes that determine a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions; "education has for its object the formation of character"- Herbert Spencer
2. [n]  a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something; "each town has a quality all its own"; "the radical character of our demands"
3. [n]  an actor's portrayal of someone in a play; "she played the part of Desdemona"
4. [n]  a formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability; "requests for character references are all to often answered evasively"
5. [n]  a written symbol that is used to represent speech; "the Greek alphabet has 24 characters"
6. [n]  
7. [n]  a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities); "a real character"; "a strange character"; "a friendly eccentric"; "the capable type"; "a mental case"
8. [n]  good repute; "he is a man of character"
9. [v]  engrave or inscribe characters on

Character
These six studies on the subject of character are based on Bill Hybels` Who You Are When No One`s Looking. The guide is part of a series, Christian Basics, which draws on material from well-loved Christian classics for content and organization.

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1. \Char"ac*ter\, n. [L., an instrument for marking,
   character, Gr. ?, fr. ? to make sharp, to cut into furrows,
   to engrave: cf. F. caract[`e]re.]
   1. A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.
            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.             --Holder.
   2. Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the peculiar
      form of letters used by a particular person or people; as,
      an inscription in the Runic character.
            You know the character to be your brother's? --Shak.
   3. The peculiar quality, or the sum of qualities, by which a
      person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp
      impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a
      person or thing really is; nature; disposition.
            The character or that dominion.       --Milton.
            Know well each Ancient's proper character; His
            fable, subject, scope in every page; Religion,
            Country, genius of his Age.           --Pope.
            A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character.
                                                  --Motley.
   4. Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality;
      as, he has a great deal of character.
   5. Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the
      life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from
      suspicion.
   6. Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct
      with respect to a certain office or duty; as, in the
      miserable character of a slave; in his character as a
      magistrate; her character as a daughter.
   7. The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or
      thing; reputation; as, a man's character for truth and
      veracity; to give one a bad character.
            This subterraneous passage is much mended since
            Seneca gave so bad a character of it. --Addison.
   8. A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc.,
      given to a servant. [Colloq.]
   9. A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person
      characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who
      illustrates certain phases of character; as, Randolph was
      a character; C[ae]sar is a great historical character.
   10. One of the persons of a drama or novel.
   Note: ``It would be well if character and reputation were
         used distinctively. In truth, character is what a
         person is; reputation is what he is supposed to be.
         Character is in himself, reputation is in the minds of
         others. Character is injured by temptations, and by
         wrongdoing; reputation by slanders, and libels.
         Character endures throughout defamation in every form,
         but perishes when there is a voluntary transgression;
         reputation may last through numerous transgressions,
         but be destroyed by a single, and even an unfounded,
         accusation or aspersion.'' --Abbott.
   

2. \Char"ac*ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Charactered}.]
   1. To engrave; to inscribe. [R.]
            These trees shall be my books. And in their barks my
            thoughts I 'll character.             --Shak.
   2. To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe;
      to characterize. [R.] --Mitford.
   

An atom in a character repertoire.

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