| character (typography) |
| Definition: In typography, a glyph is the shape that a particular typeface gives to a particular symbol. A character is the abstraction that the glyph represents. Thus, this a is this typeface's glyph for the abstract character that English speakers call lower-case a. |
| Etymology: The first OED citation for the word character is from about 1315. It derives via French and Latin from the Greek kharakter, engraved mark (from kharassein, to engrave). The Greek word, in turn, derives from kharax, pointed stake [I can almost see the stick drawing the diagram in the sand]. Note: the word glyph derives from a Greek word that means "carving." Thus, Greek-etymology-wise, glyphs are carvings and characters are engravings. |