characteristic
/ˌkæɹ(ə)ktəˈɹɪstɪk/ noun B1- A distinguishing feature of a person or thing, a part of mental or physical behavior.
- The integer part of a logarithm.
- The distinguishing features of a navigational light on a lighthouse etc by which it can be identified (colour, pattern of flashes etc.).
- For a given field or ring, a natural number that is either the smallest positive number n such that n instances of the multiplicative identity (1) summed together yield the additive identity (0) or, if no such number exists, the number 0. · The characteristic of a field, if non-zero, must be a prime number.
Plural characteristics
From the library
“I’m Anne of Green Gables,” said the small visitor tremulously, clasping her hands with her characteristic gesture, “and I’ve come to confess, if you please.”
But crispness was no longer Marilla’s distinguishing characteristic.
The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was sufficiently characteristic.
“Yes: these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce, but with respect to any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded.”
Other matches
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