Characteristic
/ˌkær.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/noun
A distinguishing feature or quality typical of a person, thing, or group.
Did you know?Characteristic ultimately comes from Greek kharaktēr, a “stamped mark” or “engraved character,” from a root tied to carving and scratching—so the idea of a “characteristic” began as a literal imprint.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰer-
“to scratch, carve, or cut”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kharaktḗr
“an engraved mark, stamp, or distinctive sign”
Late Greek
Greek
kharaktēristikós
“pertaining to a distinctive mark or character”
Late Latin
Latin
characteristicus
“serving to distinguish by a mark or character”
16th Century
English
characteristic
“relating to a distinguishing mark or feature”
Modern English
English
characteristic
“a distinguishing feature or typical quality”