vt.

1. 描绘……的特性[（+as）]
   The author characterizes the central figure as a weakling.

   作者把书中的中心人物描绘成一个懦弱的人。

2. 具有……的特征，以……为特征
   A miser is characterized by greed.

   守财奴的特点是贪婪。

v.

1. describe the distinctive character of.
2. (of a feature or quality) be typical or characteristic of.