Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “characterisation” come from?

Characterisation derives from character, which comes from Middle English caracter, Old French caractere, Latin character, Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (a mark or impression), from χαράσσω (to scratch or engrave), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰer-.

characterisation (English): Alternative form of characterization

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of characterization

Ancestry of “characterisation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1English-ationAn action or process; The result of an action or...
2Middle English-aciounForms nouns denoting an action, act, or doing,...
3Old French-ation-ation
4Latin-ātiō—
5Latin-tiō—
6Latindissertātiō—
7Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
8Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
9Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
10Latincalceusshoe
11Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
12Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “characterisation”

  • recharacterisation
  • mischaracterisation
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →