HALLMARK


Meaning of HALLMARK in English

■ noun

1》 a mark stamped on articles of gold, silver, or platinum by the British assay offices, certifying purity.

2》 a distinctive feature, especially of excellence.

■ verb

1》 stamp with a ~.

2》 designate as distinctive.

Origin

C18: from Goldsmiths' Hall in London, where articles were tested and stamped.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.