CHARACTERISTIC
characteristic
(adjective) typical or distinctive; “heard my friend’s characteristic laugh”; “red and gold are the characteristic colors of autumn”; “stripes characteristic of the zebra”
characteristic
(noun) a distinguishing quality
characteristic, device characteristic
(noun) any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions
feature, characteristic
(noun) a prominent attribute or aspect of something; “the map showed roads and other features”; “generosity is one of his best characteristics”
characteristic
(noun) the integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
characteristic (comparative more characteristic, superlative most characteristic)
Being a distinguishing feature of a person or thing.
Synonyms
• distinctive
• exclusive
• idiosyncratic
• indicative
• representative
• signature
• specific
• typical
Antonyms
• uncharacteristic
• untypical
Noun
characteristic (plural characteristics)
A distinguishing feature of a person or thing.
(mathematics) The integer part of a logarithm.
(nautical) The distinguishing features of a navigational light on a lighthouse etc by which it can be identified (colour, pattern of flashes etc.).
(algebra, field theory, ring theory) For a given field or ring, a natural number that is either the smallest positive number n such that n instances of the multiplicative identity (1) summed together yield the additive identity (0) or, if no such number exists, the number 0.
Synonyms
• (distinguishing feature of a person or thing): attribute, hallmark, idiosyncrasy, mannerism, quality, tendency, trademark, trait
• See also characteristic
Coordinate terms
• (part of a logarithm): mantissa
Source: Wiktionary
Char`ac*ter*is"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. charactéristique.]
Definition: Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing
the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or
thing; peculiar; distinctive.
Characteristic clearness of temper. Macaulay.
Char`ac*ter*is"tic, n.
1. A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of
character; that which characterized. Pope.
The characteristics of a true critic. Johnson.
2. (Math.)
Definition: The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a
logarithm.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition