character

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

• noun The combination of mental characteristics and behavior that distinguishes a person or group. synonym: disposition.
• noun The distinguishing nature of something. synonym: quality.
• noun Moral strength; integrity.
• noun Public estimation of someone; reputation.
• noun Biology A structure, function, or attribute of an organism, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
• noun A person considered as having a specific quality or attribute.
• noun A person considered funny or eccentric.
• noun A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel.
• noun A person or animal portrayed with a personality in comics or animation.
• noun Characterization in fiction or drama.
• noun Status or role; capacity.
• noun A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.
• noun A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.
• noun A mark or symbol used in a writing system.
• noun A Chinese character.
• noun One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information.
• noun The numerical code representing such a character.
• noun Mathematics The trace function of a representation.
• noun A style of printing or writing.
• noun A cipher or code for secret writing.
• adjective Of or relating to one's character.
• adjective Specializing in the interpretation of often minor roles that emphasize fixed personality traits or specific physical characteristics.
• adjective Of or relating to the interpretation of such roles by an actor.
• adjective Dedicated to the portrayal of a person with regard to distinguishing psychological or physical features.
• transitive verb To write, print, engrave, or inscribe.
• transitive verb To portray or describe; characterize.
• idiom (in character) Consistent with someone's general character or behavior.
• idiom (out of character) Inconsistent with someone's general character or behavior.

from The Century Dictionary.

• To engrave; inscribe; write.
• To ascribe a certain character to; characterize; describe.
• To give expression to, as mental qualities to the countenance.
• noun A mark made by cutting, stamping, or engraving, as on stone, metal, or other hard material; hence, a mark or figure, written or printed, and used to communicate thought, as in the formation of words; a letter, figure, or sign.
• noun Hence The peculiar form or style of letters used by a particular person; handwriting; any system of written, engraved, or printed symbols employed by a particular race or nation of people to record or communicate thought: as, the Greek character; the Runic character; the Hebrew character.
• noun A cipher.
• noun A distinguishing mark or characteristic; any one of the properties or qualities which serve to distinguish one person or thing from others; a peculiarity by which a thing may be recognized, described, and classified.
• noun The combination of properties, qualities, or peculiarities which distinguishes one person or thing, or one group of persons or things, from others; specifically, the sum of the inherited and acquired ethical traits which give to a person his moral individuality.
• noun The moral qualities assigned to a person by repute; the estimate attached to an individual by the community in which he lives; good or bad reputation, standing: as, a character for veracity or mendacity.
• noun Specifically Good qualities, or the reputation of possessing them; good reputation: as, a man of worth and character.
• noun The qualities, course of action, or rôle appropriate to a given person, station in life, profession, etc.
• noun Strongly marked distinctive qualities of any kind: as, a man with a great deal of character.
• noun An account or statement of the qualities or peculiarities of a person or thing; specifically, an oral or a written statement with regard to the standing or qualifications of any one, as a servant or an employee.
• noun A person; a personage: as, the noble characters of ancient history; a disreputable character; specifically, one of the persons represented in a drama, or in fiction.