What is the Latin word for characterize?

The usual Latin words for “characterize” are notō, dēsignō, dēscrībō; also Rutilius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“characterize” in Latin

notōto mark, make a mark; to write, especially in shorthand; to write remarks or notes dēsignōto mark; to trace out; to outline, describe dēscrībōto copy off or transcribe something from the original, write down, write out; to describe in painting or writing, draw, Rutiliusa Roman nomen gentile, gens or "family name" famously held by

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

characterize

notare: designare (general term): describere (with words). To characterize anybody, alicujus naturam certis describere signis, quae sicuti notae quaedam naturae sunt attributa (Auct. ad Her., 4, 50, in): vitia et virtutes alicujus deformare (Rutilius, Lup., 2, 7, p. 99).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for characterize?: The usual Latin words for “characterize” are notō, dēsignō, dēscrībō; also Rutilius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.