characteristic

Meanings

Plural: characteristics

Noun

• a prominent attribute or aspect of something
  • "generosity is one of his best characteristics"
• a distinguishing quality
• the integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2
• any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions
• A distinguishing feature of a person or thing, a part of mental or physical behavior.
• The integer part of a logarithm.
• The distinguishing features of a navigational light on a lighthouse etc by which it can be identified (colour, pattern of flashes etc.).
• 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.

Adjective

• typical or distinctive
  • "heard my friend's characteristic laugh"
  • "red and gold are the characteristic colors of autumn"
  • "stripes characteristic of the zebra"

Adj

• Being a distinguishing feature of a person or thing.

Synonyms

attribute, characteristic, designation, device characteristic, distinction, distinctive, distinctiveness, exclusive, feature, hallmark, idiosyncrasy, idiosyncratic, indicative, mannerism, parameter, proper, property, quality, race, representative, signature, specific, tendency, touch, trademark, trait, typical, whatness

Antonyms

uncharacteristic, untypical

Related Words

characteristically, mantissa