/trayt/ ; Brit. also /tray/ , n.
1. a distinguishing characteristic or quality, esp. of one's personal nature: bad traits of character.
2. a pen or pencil stroke.
3. a stroke, touch, or strain, as of some quality: a trait of pathos; a trait of ready wit.
[ 1470-80; tractus. See TRACT 1 ]
Syn. 1. peculiarity, mark, attribute, property.