--- title: C — The English dictionary with trees and pragmatics · page 21 description: The 1959 words of the English dictionary under C, every meaning for a pupil and every example with its dependency tree and pragmatics. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/21/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [English dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/) / C # C — The English dictionary · page 21 [A](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/A/) · [B](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/B/) · [C](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/) · [D](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/D/) · [E](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/E/) · [F](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/F/) · [G](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/G/) · [H](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/H/) · [I](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/I/) · [J](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/J/) · [K](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/K/) · [L](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/L/) · [M](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/M/) · [N](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/N/) · [O](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/) · [P](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/) · [Q](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Q/) · [R](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/R/) · [S](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/) · [T](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/T/) · [U](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/U/) · [V](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/V/) · [W](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/W/) · [X](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/X/) · [Y](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Y/) · [Z](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Z/) [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/) … [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/20/) **21** [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/22/) … [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/99/) **chanted** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Chanted is the past form of «chant»: they said or sang the same words again and again in a rhythm, often loudly together.[↗](../../chanted/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (church) Chanted can mean sung on one or a few notes, as monks chant psalms and prayers.[↗](../../chanted/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Chanted can describe words said together as a crowd, at a football match or a protest.[↗](../../chanted/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The crowd chanted the team's name.[↗](../../chanted/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · We chanted the seven times table until we knew it.[↗](../../chanted/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The monks chanted psalms in the dark chapel.[↗](../../chanted/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The children chanted a skipping rhyme in the playground.[↗](../../chanted/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Protesters chanted, «Save our park!»[↗](../../chanted/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The fans chanted and clapped all through the match.[↗](../../chanted/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · As she chanted the final words the head moved, and the limbs came back.[↗](../../chanted/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **chanting** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Singing or saying words over and over on one or a few notes, often in religious worship.[↗](../../chanting/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A crowd shouting the same words again and again, at a football match or protest.[↗](../../chanting/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (school) Saying something together in rhythm to learn it, like times tables.[↗](../../chanting/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The monks were chanting in the old abbey.[↗](../../chanting/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The crowd kept chanting the player's name.[↗](../../chanting/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · We learned the times tables by chanting them.[↗](../../chanting/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Buddhist monks start the day with chanting.[↗](../../chanting/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Protesters were chanting «Save our park!»[↗](../../chanting/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Soft chanting came from the temple.[↗](../../chanting/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The funeral pyre was then lighted, and the voices of the Muses were heard chanting his funeral dirge.[↗](../../chanting/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **chanty** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A song that sailors sang long ago while they worked together, pulling ropes or turning the capstan; also spelled «shanty» and «chantey».[↗](../../chanty/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Not the same word as «shanty» meaning a rough hut.[↗](../../chanty/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The sailors sang a chanty as they pulled up the anchor.[↗](../../chanty/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · In music we learned an old sea chanty.[↗](../../chanty/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · One sailor sang the line and the others answered in the chanty.[↗](../../chanty/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The chanty helped them pull the rope together.[↗](../../chanty/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · «What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?» is a famous chanty.[↗](../../chanty/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The old seaman hummed a chanty while he mended the nets.[↗](../../chanty/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Our class sang chanties at the school concert.[↗](../../chanty/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **chaos** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Chaos is a state of complete confusion and disorder, where nothing is organised.[↗](../../chaos/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (science, maths) Chaos is when tiny changes at the start lead to huge, hard-to-predict differences later, as in weather.[↗](../../chaos/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (myth, Bible) In old stories, Chaos was the formless emptiness before the world was made.[↗](../../chaos/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The classroom was in chaos when the fire alarm went off.[↗](../../chaos/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Snow caused chaos on the roads.[↗](../../chaos/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The puppy caused chaos in the kitchen.[↗](../../chaos/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · After the party the house was total chaos.[↗](../../chaos/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The weather is hard to predict because of chaos.[↗](../../chaos/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · In Greek myths, the world began from Chaos.[↗](../../chaos/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · I saw handsome furniture, many books, and a chaos of newspapers.[↗](../../chaos/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The Hebrew term תֹּהוּ tohu is much more similar in sense to the Greek kháos than it is to English chaos.[↗](../../chaos/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)[↗](../../chaos/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · In this interpretation, they are ten elemental entities or properties which bind or restrain primordial תֹּהוּ tohu, 'chaos, void, waste(land)' \[Genesis 1:2\], allowing structure and order to exist in creation.[↗](../../chaos/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)[↗](../../chaos/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · With 'two' God graved and iiewed out void and chaos.[↗](../../chaos/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))[↗](../../chaos/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") **chaotic** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Chaotic means in a state of complete confusion and disorder, with no plan or control.[↗](../../chaotic/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (science) A chaotic system is one where tiny changes at the start lead to huge, unpredictable differences later, like the weather.[↗](../../chaotic/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The first day of term was chaotic.[↗](../../chaotic/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The kitchen was chaotic after the party.[↗](../../chaotic/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The Mad Hatter's tea party was completely chaotic.[↗](../../chaotic/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Traffic was chaotic after the snow.[↗](../../chaotic/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Weather is a chaotic system.[↗](../../chaotic/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Our chaotic game of football had no rules at all.[↗](../../chaotic/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The moon was not yet very high; it was besides rather foggy, so that in the darkness all objects seemed mingled in chaotic confusion.[↗](../../chaotic/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **chaotically** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* In a very messy, confused and disorganised way, with no order.[↗](../../chaotically/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The puppies ran chaotically around the kitchen.[↗](../../chaotically/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Toys were scattered chaotically across the floor.[↗](../../chaotically/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The game ended chaotically when the ball went over the fence.[↗](../../chaotically/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Traffic moved chaotically after the lights failed.[↗](../../chaotically/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The crowd pushed chaotically towards the exit, which was dangerous.[↗](../../chaotically/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") **chap** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (UK, informal, a bit old-fashioned) A chap is a man or boy, a fellow.[↗](../../chap/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Chaps are leather leg coverings worn by cowboys over their trousers.[↗](../../chap/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* To chap is for skin or lips to become dry, rough and cracked, usually from cold or wind.[↗](../../chap/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (Scotland, Northern Ireland) To chap is to knock on a door.[↗](../../chap/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* In old books, chap is a short way of writing chapter, such as "chap. vii" for chapter seven.[↗](../../chap/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Mr Davies is a friendly chap who runs the corner shop.[↗](../../chap/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · «Well done, old chap!» said Grandpa.[↗](../../chap/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · My lips are chapped from the cold wind.[↗](../../chap/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Use hand cream so your hands don't chap.[↗](../../chap/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The cowboy pulled on his leather chaps.[↗](../../chap/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · (Scotland) Chap the door and see if he's in.[↗](../../chap/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The little chap has saved our lives now.”[↗](../../chap/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · I, etc., etc.; his notes on "Yezirah" Chap.[↗](../../chap/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)[↗](../../chap/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · with the exception of the word תהו because it is obvious from "Yezirah," Chap.[↗](../../chap/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)[↗](../../chap/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · Tom., I, Chap.[↗](../../chap/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") 1.)[↗](../../chap/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") Third, Rittangel published the book "Yezirah," 1642, at Amsterdam, entitled: "Liber Yezirah qui Abrahamo patriarchae adscribitur, una cum commentario (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)[↗](../../chap/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") **chapeau** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (French) "Chapeau" is the French word for "hat".[↗](../../chapeau/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") It sounds like "sha-POH" to an English ear.[↗](../../chapeau/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") It is not really an English word.[↗](../../chapeau/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (informal, borrowed from French) "Chapeau!" is said to praise someone.[↗](../../chapeau/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *e.g.* "Hats off to you\![↗](../../chapeau/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") Well done!" — used by some English speakers, especially in sport like cycling.[↗](../../chapeau/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* "Chapeau" means "hat" in French.[↗](../../chapeau/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · "J'ai un chapeau bleu" means "I have a blue hat".[↗](../../chapeau/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The plural in French is "chapeaux", with an x.[↗](../../chapeau/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · She won the race all alone — chapeau\![↗](../../chapeau/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The magician pulled a rabbit from his chapeau.[↗](../../chapeau/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · In English we would say "hats off" instead of "chapeau".[↗](../../chapeau/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **chapel** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (church) A chapel is a small church, or a room for Christian prayer inside a bigger building such as a school, hospital, prison, palace or airport.[↗](../../chapel/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A chapel is a small part of a large church or cathedral with its own altar.[↗](../../chapel/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (UK) Chapel is also the church of some Protestant groups, such as Methodists or Baptists, especially in Wales.[↗](../../chapel/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *e.g.* "We go to chapel."[↗](../../chapel/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Our school has a little chapel where we have assembly on Fridays.[↗](../../chapel/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · They got married in a chapel by the sea.[↗](../../chapel/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The hospital chapel is open for anyone who wants to pray or be quiet.[↗](../../chapel/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · St George's Chapel is at Windsor Castle.[↗](../../chapel/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Grandma goes to chapel every Sunday.[↗](../../chapel/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The cathedral has many side chapels.[↗](../../chapel/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The family visited Grandad at the chapel of rest to say goodbye.[↗](../../chapel/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · It had the appearance of a chapel for the dead, with petrified organs and silent pipes.[↗](../../chapel/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **chaplain** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (church) A minister, priest or religious leader who works not in a parish church but in a school, hospital, prison, army, university or sports team, caring for people there.[↗](../../chaplain/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Today, some chaplains serve people of all faiths and none, offering a listening ear.[↗](../../chaplain/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The school chaplain led our assembly.[↗](../../chaplain/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The hospital chaplain sat with Grandma and prayed with her.[↗](../../chaplain/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Army chaplains go with soldiers to support them.[↗](../../chaplain/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · You can talk to the chaplain if you feel worried.[↗](../../chaplain/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The college chaplain held a service in the chapel.[↗](../../chaplain/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The prison chaplain visits people who are in jail.[↗](../../chaplain/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **chaplet** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A chaplet is a wreath or circle worn on the head, made of flowers, leaves or stars.[↗](../../chaplet/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (old use) A chaplet is a string of beads or pearls.[↗](../../chaplet/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* She wore a chaplet of flowers in her hair.[↗](../../chaplet/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · He held a chaplet of stars and turned to the girl.[↗](../../chaplet/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The wise woman gave her a chaplet of a hundred pearls.[↗](../../chaplet/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.[↗](../../chaplet/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PRO.1.9, JPS 1917)[↗](../../chaplet/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow on thee.'[↗](../../chaplet/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PRO.4.9, JPS 1917)[↗](../../chaplet/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") **chapped** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Chapped skin or lips are dry, rough, cracked and sore, usually because of cold wind or dry air.[↗](../../chapped/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Chapped is the past form of chap: to make skin crack in this way.[↗](../../chapped/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* My lips get chapped in winter.[↗](../../chapped/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Put on some lip balm for your chapped lips.[↗](../../chapped/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The farmer's hands were red and chapped from the cold.[↗](../../chapped/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Wear gloves so your hands don't get chapped.[↗](../../chapped/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Licking your lips makes them more chapped.[↗](../../chapped/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The icy wind chapped our cheeks.[↗](../../chapped/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Her chapped knuckles stung when she washed her hands.[↗](../../chapped/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · “Yes, my little man,” Slightly anxiously replied, who had chapped knuckles.[↗](../../chapped/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **chapter** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A chapter is one part of a book; a book is divided into chapters.[↗](../../chapter/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A chapter can be a part or a time in someone's life or in history: «a new chapter».[↗](../../chapter/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The book has 12 chapters.[↗](../../chapter/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Each chapter has 15 pages.[↗](../../chapter/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · She read 3 chapters a day.[↗](../../chapter/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · How many pages are in the whole book?[↗](../../chapter/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Mum reads us a chapter every night.[↗](../../chapter/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Chapter 1 begins on page 5.[↗](../../chapter/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The last chapter was the most exciting.[↗](../../chapter/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Moving to a new school was a new chapter for Ben.[↗](../../chapter/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · 35) Compare Chapter I, Section 3, Note, 8.[↗](../../chapter/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)[↗](../../chapter/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · Finished; the end (of a book or chapter.)[↗](../../chapter/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)[↗](../../chapter/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · == Chapter 2 == \[2:1\] There are twenty-two letters, stamina.[↗](../../chapter/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)[↗](../../chapter/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") **char** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* To burn something a little so the outside goes black.[↗](../../char/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (UK, old-fashioned) A cleaning woman paid to clean houses or offices (short for charwoman).[↗](../../char/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (UK, informal) Tea, as in «a cup of char».[↗](../../char/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* A kind of fish related to trout and salmon that lives in cold lakes and seas (the Arctic char).[↗](../../char/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Char the peppers on the grill until the skins go black.[↗](../../char/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The forest fire charred hundreds of trees.[↗](../../char/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · We found charred wood in the old fireplace.[↗](../../char/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Grandad asked for "a cup of char" with two sugars.[↗](../../char/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · In the old story, the char scrubbed the floors every morning.[↗](../../char/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Arctic char live in very cold lakes.[↗](../../char/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The burnt toast was charred at the edges.[↗](../../char/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **character** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A character is a person or animal in a story, film or play.[↗](../../character/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Your character is the kind of person you are inside: brave, kind, honest or not.[↗](../../character/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* A character is a letter, number or symbol used in writing.[↗](../../character/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* A character can be an interesting or unusual person.[↗](../../character/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Who is the main character in the story?[↗](../../character/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Harry is a brave character.[↗](../../character/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Describe the character's feelings.[↗](../../character/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · She has a kind character.[↗](../../character/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Your password needs at least eight characters.[↗](../../character/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · It was out of character for him to shout.[↗](../../character/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Grandad is a real character.[↗](../../character/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The villain is my favourite character.[↗](../../character/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · “You are a noble character!” said the princess.[↗](../../character/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · The Hebrew language and its characters correspond mostly with the things they designate, and thus holy thoughts, Hebrew language (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)[↗](../../character/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · Table of Semitic characters by Julius Euting, No. 52, 03.[↗](../../character/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))[↗](../../character/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") · Evans and Professor Minders Petrie have shown that certain linear characters which (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))[↗](../../character/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") · And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Aramaic character, and set forth in the Aramaic tongue.[↗](../../character/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings EZR.4.7, JPS 1917)[↗](../../character/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") **characterisation** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* The way a writer or actor shows what a character in a story is like.[↗](../../characterisation/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (formal) A description of the main qualities of someone or something.[↗](../../characterisation/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The author's characterisation of the giant makes him kind as well as scary.[↗](../../characterisation/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · We studied characterisation in our reading lesson.[↗](../../characterisation/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Good characterisation makes readers care about a hero.[↗](../../characterisation/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The actor's characterisation of the king was brilliant.[↗](../../characterisation/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · That is an unfair characterisation of my friend.[↗](../../characterisation/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Use dialogue to help your characterisation.[↗](../../characterisation/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The subtle characterisation of the various occupations reaches a high level of artistic merit.[↗](../../characterisation/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **characterise** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* To be the typical feature or quality of something.[↗](../../characterise/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* To describe what someone or something is like.[↗](../../characterise/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Deserts are characterised by very little rain.[↗](../../characterise/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · How would you characterise the giant in the story?[↗](../../characterise/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The music is characterised by fast drums.[↗](../../characterise/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The teacher characterised the class as hard-working.[↗](../../characterise/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Mammals are characterised by having fur or hair.[↗](../../characterise/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Her paintings are characterised by bright colours.[↗](../../characterise/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The firm foundations of common sense, the shrewd shots at uncommon sense, that characterise all the Fables, belong not him but to humanity.[↗](../../characterise/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **characteristic** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A characteristic is a special quality or feature that helps you tell one thing or person from another, like a tiger's stripes.[↗](../../characteristic/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (adjective) Characteristic means typical of someone or something: «his characteristic smile».[↗](../../characteristic/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* One characteristic of birds is that they have feathers.[↗](../../characteristic/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · A square's characteristics: four equal sides and four right angles.[↗](../../characteristic/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Kindness is her best characteristic.[↗](../../characteristic/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Sorting animals by their characteristics.[↗](../../characteristic/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · He gave his characteristic loud laugh.[↗](../../characteristic/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · It is characteristic of cats to sleep a lot.[↗](../../characteristic/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/) … [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/20/) **21** [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/22/) … [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/99/) - ← previous: [page 20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/20/) - next →: [page 22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/22/) - ↑ back to [The English dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/)