rarely -try. [collective noun f. CHARACTER sb.; see -ERY, and cf. Gr. χαρακτήριον.]

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  1.  Expression of thought by symbols or characters; the characters or symbols collectively.

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1598.  Shaks., Merry W., V. v. 77. Fairies vse Flowres for their characterie. Ibid. (1601), Jul. C., II. i. 308. I will construe to thee, All the Charractery of my sad browes.

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1818.  Keats, Endym., III. 767. Nor mark’d with any sign or charactery. Ibid. (a. 1821), Sonn. ‘When I have fears.’ High piled books, in charactry, Hold like rich garners the full ripen’d grain.

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1872.  Browning, Fifine, cxxiii. 65. Far better … Through rude charactery, than … That lettering of your scribes!

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1879.  Trench, Poems, 99. All o’er-writ with charactery strange.

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  † b.  spec. Shorthand; cf. CHARACTER sb. 3 b.

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1588.  T. Bright (title), Characterie, an Arte of Short, Swifte, and Secrete Writing.

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  † 2.  Delineation of character. Obs.

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1614.  Bp. Hall, Recoll. Treat., 221. Drawing out the true lineaments of every vertue and vice … which Art they significantly tearmed Charactery.

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