Science, ideas & the arts

character

A kharaktḗr was a stamp or engraving tool and the mark it left. From 'distinctive mark' came 'the qualities that mark a person', and then the people in a story; Japanese borrowed the English word and clipped it to kyara, the persona of a cartoon mascot or a person.

Weakest linkCertain

The road to English

From Ancient Greek to Modern Greek

From Old French to French, Turkish

From Latin to Italian

From Latin to Spanish

From Latin to German

From Latin to Polish, Russian

From English to Japanese, Japanese

From English to Korean

450 BCEAncient Greek

Hops are evenly spaced; labels show the year each form is first attested.

The road to English

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