characterisation in WordNet English dictionary

1. a graphic or vivid verbal description
   "too often the narrative was interrupted by long word pictures"; "the author gives a depressing picture of life in Poland"; "the pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters"
   word picture  word-painting  delineation  depiction  picture  characterization  characterisation 
   
2. the act of describing distinctive characteristics or essential features
   "the media's characterization of Al Gore as a nerd"
   characterization  characterisation 
   

characterisation in English Wiktionary