characteristic

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A typical quality or feature of someone or something.

   Patience is one of her best characteristics.

2. 2
   adj

   Typical of a particular person or thing.

   I heard my friend's characteristic laugh across the room.

From Ancient Greek χαρακτηριστικός (kharaktēristikós), from χαρακτηρίζω (kharaktērízō, “to designate by a characteristic mark”), from χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “a mark, character”). By surface analysis, character + -istic.

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