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