Noun

(en noun)

The act of persuading, or trying to do so; the addressing of arguments to someone with the intention of changing their mind or convincing them of a certain point of view, course of action etc.

* 2006 , Rachel Morris, "Borderline Catastrophe", Washington Monthly , vol. 38:10:

With the base unleashed, the White House was unable to broker a compromise, either by persuasion or by pressure.

An argument or other statement intended to influence one's opinions or beliefs; a way of persuading someone.

* 1928 , "The New Pictures", Time , 13 Feb 1928:

Sadie curses, weeps, then, infected by Mr. Hamilton's writhing persuasions , prays and becomes penitent.

A strongly held conviction, opinion or belief.

It is his persuasion that abortion should never be condoned.

One's ability or power to influence someone's opinions or feelings; persuasiveness.

A specified religious adherence, a creed; any school of thought or ideology.

* 2009 , US Catholic (letter), May 2009:

As a convert from the Baptist persuasion more than 40 years ago, I still feel like an outsider in the church despite the kindness and acceptance of Catholic friends.

(colloquial) Any group having a specified characteristic or attribute in common.

* 2010 , "We don't need gay stereotypes", The Guardian , 6 Feb 2010:

Social understanding and equality can neither be nurtured through fear, nor intimidation. Surely this goes for people of all sexual persuasions .

Noun

A being involved in the action of a story.

*

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=1 , passage=The stories did not seem to me to touch life. […] They left me with the impression of a well-delivered stereopticon lecture, with characters about as life-like as the shadows on the screen, and whisking on and off, at the mercy of the operator.}}

* {{quote-news, year=2012, date=April 26, author=Tasha Robinson, work=The Onion AV Club

, title= Film: Reviews: The Pirates! Band Of Misfits , passage=But Pirates! comes with all the usual Aardman strengths intact, particularly the sense that its characters and creators alike are too good-hearted and sweet to nitpick. The ambition is all in the craft rather than in the storytelling, but it’s hard to say no to the proficiency of that craft, or the mild good cheer behind it. }}

A distinguishing feature; characteristic.

A complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person or a group.

* Motley

a man of thoroughly subservient character

*

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=3 , passage=Now all this was very fine, but not at all in keeping with the Celebrity's character as I had come to conceive it. The idea that adulation ever cloyed on him was ludicrous in itself. In fact I thought the whole story fishy, and came very near to saying so.}}

Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; moral strength.

He has a great deal of character .

A unique or extraordinary individual; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits, especially charisma.

Julius Caesar is a great historical character .

A written or printed symbol, or letter.

* Holder

It were much to be wished that there were throughout the world but one sort of character for each letter to express it to the eye.

Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the particular form of letters used by a person or people.

an inscription in the Runic character

* Shakespeare

You know the character to be your brother's?

(computing) One of the basic elements making up a text file or string: a code representing a printing character or a control character.

(informal) A person or individual, especially one who is unknown or raises suspicions.

(mathematics) A complex number representing an element of a finite Abelian group.

Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty.

in the miserable character of a slave

in his character as a magistrate

(dated) The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation.

a man's character for truth and veracity

Her actions give her a bad character .

* Addison

This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it.

(dated) A reference given to a servant, attesting to his/her behaviour, competence, etc.