characteristic

characteristic
[[t]kæ̱rɪktərɪ̱stɪk[/t]]
♦♦♦
characteristics
1) N-COUNT: usu pl, usu with supp The characteristics of a person or thing are the qualities or features that belong to them and make them recognizable.

Genes determine the characteristics of every living thing.

...their physical characteristics.

Syn:
features, traits
2) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ of n A quality or feature that is characteristic of someone or something is one which is often seen in them and seems typical of them.

...the absence of strife between the generations that was so characteristic of such societies...

Windmills are a characteristic feature of the Mallorcan landscape...

Nehru responded with characteristic generosity.

Syn:
Ant:
Derived words:
characteristically [[t]kæ̱rɪktərɪ̱stɪkli[/t]] ADV-GRADED usu ADV adj, also ADV with v, ADV with cl

He replied in characteristically robust style...

MacMillan's music characteristically makes a dramatic impact...

Characteristically, he worked hard at the assignment.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Synonyms:

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  • characteristic — adj Characteristic, individual, peculiar, distinctive are comparable when they mean indicating or revealing the special quality or qualities of a particular person or thing or of a particular group of persons or things. Characteristic stresses… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Characteristic — (from the Greek word for a property or attribute (= trait) of an entity) may refer to: In physics and engineering, any characteristic curve that shows the relationship between certain input and output parameters, for example: I V or current… …   Wikipedia

  • characteristic — [kar΄ək tər is′tik, kar΄iktər is′tik] adj. [Gr charaktēristikos: see CHARACTER] of or constituting the special character; typical; distinctive [the characteristic odor of cabbage] n. 1. a distinguishing trait, feature, or quality; peculiarity 2.… …   English World dictionary

  • characteristic — I noun aspect, attribute, cast, constitution, differentia, differential, distinction, distinctive feature, distinguishing trait, essence, essential part, feature, humor, idiocrasy, idiosyncrasy, immanence, inclination, individuality, inherence,… …   Law dictionary

  • Characteristic — Char ac*ter*is tic, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. charact[ e]ristique.] Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • characteristic — [adj] typical; distinguishing appropriate, diagnostic, differentiating, discriminating, discriminative, distinctive, distinguishing, emblematic, especial, essential, exclusive, fixed, idiosyncratic, inborn, inbred, indicative, individual,… …   New thesaurus

  • Characteristic — Char ac*ter*is tic, n. 1. A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized. Pope. [1913 Webster] The characteristics of a true critic. Johnson. [1913 Webster] 2. (Math.) The integral part (whether… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • characteristic — characteristic. См. признак. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • characteristic — characteristic. = character (см.). (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • characteristic — adjective and noun both first attested 1660s, from CHARACTER (Cf. character) + ISTIC (Cf. istic) on model of Gk. kharakteristikos. Earlier in the adjectival sense was characteristical (1620s). Related: Characteristically. Characteristics… …   Etymology dictionary

  • characteristic — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ typical of a particular person, place, or thing. ► NOUN ▪ a feature or quality typical of a person, place, or thing. DERIVATIVES characteristically adverb …   English terms dictionary

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