2 entries under this word

Characteristic

Chăr'ac-ter-is'tic or Chăr'ac-ter-is'tic-al, a.

adjective

[Fr. caractéristique, Gr. χαρακτηριστικός.] Serving to constitute the character; serving to mark the peculiar distinctive qualities of a person or thing; peculiar; appropriate. “Characteristic clearness of temper.” Macaulay.

Chăr'ac-ter-is'tic-al, a.

adjective

a. The same as CHARACTERISTIC. [Obs.]

Also printed under this word

Chăr'ac-ter-is'tic, n.p. 218nounThat which constitutes a character; that which characterizes; that which distinguishes a person or thing from another. “The characteristics of a true critic.” Johnson. 2. (Math.) The index or…