English

Noun

charactery ‎(plural characteries)

1. (obsolete) The art or means of characterizing; a system of signs or characters; symbolism; distinctive mark.

   Fairies use flowers for their charactery. — Shakespeare.

   • 1818, John Keats, When I have fears that I may cease to be

     When I have fears that I may cease to be

     Before my pen has glean'd my teeming brain,

     Before high piled books, in charact`ry,

     Hold like rich garners the full ripen'd grain;

2. (obsolete) That which is charactered; the meaning.

   I will construe to thee / All the charactery of my sad brows. — Shakespeare.