D defs.my
Entry 3 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Characteristic

/kĕrˌ-ək-tẽr-ĭs'-tĭk/ · Char·ac·ter·is·tic · IPA /ˌkæɹ(ə)ktəˈɹɪstɪk/
01 a. Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; pe…
  1. 1.
    Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive.
    Characteristic clearness of temper.” Macaulay.
02 n. A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized.
  1. 1.
    A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized.
    “The characteristics of a true critic.” Johnson.
  2. 2.
    The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a logarithm.(Math.)