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Webster 1913 Edition
Characteristic
Charˊac-ter-is′tic
,Adj.
[Gr. [GREEK]: cf. F.
charactéristique
.] 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.
Charˊac-ter-is′tic
,Noun.
1.
A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized.
Pope.
The
characteristics
of a true critic. Johnson.
2.
(Math.)
The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a logarithm.