CHARACTERISTIC


Meaning of CHARACTERISTIC in English

/ ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪk; NAmE / adjective , noun

■ adjective

characteristic (of sth/sb) very typical of sth or of sb's character :

She spoke with characteristic enthusiasm.

OPP uncharacteristic

►  char·ac·ter·is·tic·al·ly adverb :

Characteristically, Helen paid for everyone.

■ noun

~ (of sth/sb) a typical feature or quality that sth/sb has :

The need to communicate is a key characteristic of human society.

The two groups of children have quite different characteristics.

Personal characteristics, such as age and sex are taken into account.

genetic characteristics

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WORD ORIGIN

mid 17th cent.: from French caractéristique or medieval Latin characteristicus , from Greek kharaktēristikos , from kharaktēr a stamping tool.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.