Character.
Synonyms:
| constitution, | genius, | personality, | reputation, | temper, |
| disposition, | nature, | record, | spirit, | temperament. |
Character is what one is; reputation, what he is thought to be; his record is the total of his known action or inaction. As a rule, a man's record will substantially express his character; his reputation may be higher or lower than his character or record will justify. Repute is a somewhat formal word, with the same general sense as reputation. One's nature includes all his original endowments or propensities; character includes both natural and acquired traits. We speak of one's physical constitution as strong or weak, etc., and figuratively, always with the adjective, of his mental or moral constitution. Compare CHARACTERISTIC.
Prepositions:
The witness has a character for veracity; his character is above suspicion; the character of the applicant.