Characterize vs Represent - What's the difference?
characterize | represent |
to depict someone or something a particular way (often negative)
to determine the characteristics of
* {{quote-book, passage=This glossary includes terminology used in coastal science, engineering, geology, management, nearshore oceanography and the technologies that characterize , measure, describe or quantify the physical properties, processes and changes of the coastal zone.
, title=Department of Ecology Publication No. 98-105
, chapter=Glossary of Coastal Terminology
, author=Brian Voigt
, year=1998
To present again or anew; to present by means of something standing in the place of; to exhibit the counterpart or image of; to typify.
To portray by pictorial or plastic art; to delineate; as, to represent a landscape in a picture, a horse in bronze, and the like.
To portray by mimicry or action of any kind; to act the part or character of; to personate; as, to represent Hamlet.
To stand in the place of; to supply the place, perform the duties, exercise the rights, or receive the share, of; to speak and act with authority in behalf of; to act the part of (another); as, an heir represents his ancestor; an attorney represents his client in court; a member of Congress represents his district in Congress.
To exhibit to another mind in language; to show; to give one's own impressions and judgement of; to bring before the mind; to set forth; sometimes, to give an account of; to describe.
To serve as a sign or symbol of; as, mathematical symbols represent quantities or relations; words represent ideas or things.
To bring a sensation of into the mind or sensorium; to cause to be known, felt, or apprehended; to present.
To form or image again in consciousness, as an object of cognition or apprehension (something presentative, which was originally apprehended by direct presentation).
(Webster 1913)
As verbs the difference between characterize and represent
is that characterize is to depict someone or something a particular way (often negative while represent is to present again or anew; to present by means of something standing in the place of; to exhibit the counterpart or image of; to typify.characterize
English
(Characterization)Alternative forms
* characteriseVerb
(characteriz)citation
Derived terms
* characterizationExternal links
* *represent
English
(Webster 1913)Alternative forms
* (archaic)Verb
(en verb)- He represented that he was investigating for the police department.