characterize-v; 2 Senses

Sense Number 1: describe someone or something; assign attributes to

Commentary: Syntax Includes: NP1[agent] CHARACTERIZE NP2[theme] as NP3[attribute]

Examples:
You can characterize his behavior as that of an egotist.
Was the employer justified in characterizing her as an independant contractor?
I am a little surprised to read that she characterized the job as customer service.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: Communicate_categorization
PropBank: characterize.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: be representative of someone or something

Commentary: Syntax Includes: NP1[attribute] CHARACTERIZE NP2[topic]

Examples:
What characterizes a Venetian painting?
Hearing actually characterizes our relationship more than seeing or even feeling.
Patience and good humour characterized the voting.

Mappings:
VerbNet: characterize-29.2-1
FrameNet: Distinctiveness
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2