n a prominent attribute or aspect of something
generosity is one of his best characteristics
n a distinguishing quality
n the integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2
n any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions
a typical or distinctive
heard my friend's characteristic laugh red and gold are the characteristic colors of autumn stripes characteristic of the zebra