charactery

[ kar-ik-tuh-ree, -tree ]

/ ˈkær ɪk tə ri, -tri /

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noun

the use of characters or symbols for the expression of meaning.

characters or symbols collectively.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of charactery

First recorded in 1580–90; character + -y³

Words nearby charactery

character set, character sketch, character study, character type, character witness, charactery, charactonym, charade, charades, charanga, charango

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use charactery in a sentence

Here is a shell; 'tis pearly blank to me, Nor mark'd with any sign or charactery– Canst thou read aught?
Endymion|John Keats
So in Keats: "Before high-piled books in charactery Hold like rich garners the full-ripen'd grain."
The New Hudson Shakespeare: Julius Caesar|William Shakespeare
She became very pale, and a rigid and desolate charactery took possession of her face.
A Pair of Blue Eyes|Thomas Hardy
The teeming tree Had swollen and green'd the pious charactery, But not ta'en out.
Endymion|John Keats

II.125 charactery: "writing by characters or strange marks."
The New Hudson Shakespeare: Julius Caesar|William Shakespeare

British Dictionary definitions for charactery

charactery

/ (ˈkærɪktərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -teries archaic

the use of symbols to express thoughts

the group of symbols so used

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012