original character

original character

The initial and/or intended meaning or state of something, especially if it has changed over time. Please be sure to keep the original character of the statement you are paraphrasing. I have to translate this story, and I have no idea if I'm capturing its original character. The renovations were done in keeping with the original character of the building.
See also: character
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • IYSWIM
  • take on a new significance
  • IYKWIM
  • get lost in translation
  • be lost in translation
  • words to that effect
  • et seq.
  • DYOR
  • CBA
  • "I see," said the blind man
References in periodicals archive
The house has been recently renovated throughout, yet retains its original character. Features include an entrance porch, kitchen/dining room, and living room.
From 11am those making an appointment through the selling agent, Fine & Country, will be able to look at the spacious six-bedroom accommodation and see for themselves the wealth of original character features.
The original character has been preserved around the medieval village of Egglescliffe.
It sleeps four and is full of original character including exposed beams and brickwork, wood floors and a traditional range in the sitting room.
Simon, the eighteenth century ghost, is an entertaining and original character. The story lightly brings up ideas about being odd and different; it cheerfully ridicules a bully and celebrates a lost loner.
After major renovations were made to redesign the interior, upgrade the structural elements of the building and preserve the original character, The Lane opened its doors in 2011.
Clev is a complex and original character, the kind of hero that superhero comics almost never use.
After twelve months of renovations, Shade and Copeland have transformed the building to its original character with plans to add a tasting room and sales area in the future.
The renovated KIPP DC Douglass Campus houses more than 1,000 charter students in grades preK-12 in a state-of-the-art facility that retains the building's original character. The former District of Columbia public school building was constructed in 1950 as a segregated public school.
It used to have a priest hole underneath the property and still offers a host of original character features with exposed beamed ceilings, feature fireplaces and millstone flooring to many of the ground floor rooms.
The property retains much of its original character with high ceilings, It has recently undergone a programme of modernisation and now benefits from modern fixtures and fittings throughout.
This beautifully presented house has been modernised and extended by the current owners who have managed to retain the original character of the house, yet provide modern contemporary accommodation of a very high standard.
But soon, he decided to replace Tusshar with Sameera -- don't ask us why -- and decided to delete Sameera's original character from the film altogether.
She was greeted by long-time Corrie actor William Roache who plays Ken Barlow, the only original character, before being invited into the Rovers Return.
The Birmingham coat of arms gives a link to Baskerville House's former use as council offices NP150107Baske-17' Baskerville House name plaque welcomes visitors NP150107Baske-3' Workmen apply the finishing touches to one of the floors NP150107Baske-2' Light and airy is the norm for all floors in Baskerville House NP150107Baske-14' The spacious entrance lobby retains its original character NP150107Baske-6' Glass-roofed atria floods light into the interior of the building NP150107Baske-13' NP150107Baske-5 Original detail has been carefully preserved by developer Targetfollow NP150107Baske-8' Preserved in type .