Lexical Definition

‎χαρακτήρ‎ charaktḗr (khar-ak-tare') reproduction ^G:N-M
from the same as ‎χάραξ‎

express image.

• a graver (the tool or the person), i.e. (by implication) engraving (("character"), the figure stamped, i.e. an exact copy or (figuratively) representation)

Abbott-Smith

χαρακτήρ, -ῆρος, ὁ (< χαράσσω, to engrave), [in LXX: Le 13:28 (צָרֶבֶת), II Mac 4:10, IV Mac 15:4 א R * ;]
1. a tool for graving.
2. a stamp or impress: as on a coin or seal; metaph., χ. τ. ὑποστάσεως, He 1:3.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

χαρακτήρ, ῆρος, ὁ,

(χαράσσω) engraver, [Refs 5th c.AD+]; one who mints coins, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]

__2 graving tool, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
__3 die, stamp, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__4 branding-iron, Clara Rhodos [Refs 2nd c.BC+]
__II mark engraved, impress, stamp on coins and seals, ἀργύρου λαμπρὸς χ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; coin type, standard, ἦν δ᾽ ὁ ἀρχαῖος χ. δίδραχμον [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; Κότυος χ. Head [Refs 1st c.BC+]: hence, in plural, ={χάραγμα} 1.2, [Refs 1st c.AD+] set a stamp upon them, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; Κύπριος (assuming variant) χαρακτὴρ.. ἐν γυναικείοις τύποις εἰκὼς πέπληκται [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__II.2 especially of figures or letters, οἱ τῶν γραμμάτων χ. [Refs 1st c.AD+]; ὁ τύπος τῶν χ. [Refs 1st c.BC+]; of the letters used by [Refs 5th c.BC+], compare 524f; of a single letter of the alphabet, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; brand on a camel, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; of symbols in a prescription, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; of magical symbols (such as the seven vowels), τῶν χ. ἡ ἀπόρρητος φύσις [Refs 4th c.AD+]; of hieroglyphs, opposed to γράμματα, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__II.3 metaphorically, distinctive mark or token impressed (as it were) on a person or thing, by which it is known from others, characteristic, character, χ. γλώσσης, of a particular dialect, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὁ Ἑλληνικὸς χ. Greek idiom, [Refs 1st c.BC+]: frequently of persons, feature, ὁ χ. τοῦ προσώπου [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἠθικοὶ χ., title of work by [Refs 4th c.BC+] the features of the face, [Refs 1st c.BC+]; [τοῦ ἐμβρύου] [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__II.4 type or character (regarded as shared with others) of a thing or person, rarely of an individual nature, ἀνδρὸς χ. ἐκ λόγου γνωρίζεται [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of nations, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]
__II.5 style, frequently in Rhet., ὁ Δημοσθένους χ. [Refs 1st c.BC+]; χ. optimi the ideal type, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__II.6 impress, image, τῆς ὑποστάσεως [τοῦ θεοῦ] [NT]; πάθους, ἀρετῆς, [Refs 4th c.BC+] the imperial seal, i.e. the emperor himself, [Refs 1st c.BC+]
__II.7 Grammars, typical form, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: Heb.1.3}