adj. & n.
adj. typical, distinctive (with characteristic expertise).
n. 1 a characteristic feature or quality. 2 Math. the whole number or integral part of a logarithm. characteristic curve a graph showing the relationship between two variable but interdependent quantities. characteristic radiation radiation the wavelengths of which are peculiar to the element which emits them. characteristically adv.
[ F caractéristique or med.L characterizare f. Gk kharakterizo ]