“ CHARACTER (Gr. χαρακτήρ, from χαράττειν, to scratch) , a distinctive mark (spelt “caracter” up to the 16th century, with other variants) ; so applied to symbols of notation or letters of the alphabet; more figuratively, the distinguishing traits of anything, and particularly the moral and mental qualities of an individual human being, the sum of those qualities which distinguish him as a personality. From the latter usage “a character” becomes almost identical with “reputation”; and in the sense of “giving a servant a character,” the word involves a written testimonial. ”