Electrovalent compounds, also known as ionic compounds, are characterized by a high melting point. This is because they have a lattice structure made up of positive and negative ions that are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction. These forces require a lot of energy to break, hence the high melting point of electrovalent compounds. Additionally, electrovalent compounds tend to be brittle, have high boiling points, and are good conductors of electricity in their molten or aqueous states due to the presence of charged ions. Solubility in ethanol or strong oxidizing ability are not defining characteristics of electrovalent compounds.