1560s, "marking out of a precise form" (now obsolete); see characterize + noun ending -ation. Meaning "description of essential features, portrayal in words" is from 1814.
the pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters
the media's characterization of Al Gore as a nerd
charabanc
character
characterisation
characterise
characteristic
characterization
characterize
charade
charcoal
charcuterie
chard
)window.location='https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=byronic106@yahoo.com&lc=US&item_name=Donation+to +Help+Keep+Etymonline+Free+and+Open&no_note=0&cn=&curency_code=USD&bn=PP-DonationsBF:btn_donateCC_LG.gif:NonHosted'){kind=link}