charactery

plural characteries

1. countableobsoleteuncountableThe art or means of characterizing.
2. countableobsoleteuncountablea system of signs or characters, i.e. symbolism.
3. countableobsoleteuncountableA distinctive mark.
4. countableobsoleteuncountableSomething which has a meaning.

   I will construe to thee All the charactery of my sad brows.

   1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]

   1 more example

   Sometimes she looked at Raymond, as if to say—That it should be so! At others her countenance expressed—I will still do all I can to make you happy. But Adrian read with uncertain aim the charactery of her face, and might mistake.—Clara was always with her, and she seemed most at ease

   1826, [Mary Shelley], The Last Man. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC

comparative more charactery · superlative most charactery

1. informalrareCharacterful.