Category:Characteristic

Char`ac*ter*is"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. charactéristique.]

Defn: 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.

characteristic Char`ac*ter*is"tic, n.

1. A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized. Pope. The characteristics of a true critic. Johnson.

2. (Math.)

Defn: The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a logarithm.