characteristic

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

adj. distinctive, typical, peculiar. —n. quality, trait, mark, lineament, feature, peculiarity, attribute, distinction. See indication, speciality, attribution, intrinsic.

II

(Roget's IV) modif.

Syn. distinctive, typical, representative, distinguishing, peculiar, individual, idiosyncratic, emblematic, natural, normal, innate, fixed, essential, marked, discriminative, symbolic, individualizing, discriminating, specific, personal, signature, trademark, original, individualistic, differentiating, unique, special, appropriate, particular, symptomatic, private, exclusive, inherent, inborn, inbred, ingrained, native, diagnostic, indicative, diacritical, inseparable, ineradicable, in the blood, true to form; see also natural 1 , 2 , typical .

Ant. uncharacteristic, aberrant, unexpected, erratic.

Syn.- characteristic suggests the indication of a quality that is typical of or peculiar to, and that helps identify, something or someone [ her characteristic disdain for convention, the characteristic taste of honey ] ; individual and distinctive suggest the possession of a quality or qualities that distinguish something from others of its class or kind, distinctive often adding the implication of excellence [ an individual , or distinctive , literary style ] n.

Syn. trait, feature, attribute, quality, property, essential, faculty, peculiarity, idiosyncrasy, individuality, style, aspect, flavor, savor, tone, tinge, distinction, manner, bearing, inclination, nature, personality, temperament, frame, originality, singularity, qualification, virtue, mark, essence, point, turn, caliber, complexion, streak, stripe, particularity, lineament, diagnostic, cast, trick, earmark, mannerism, quirk, trademark, badge, symptom, disposition, specialty, mood, character, endowment, bent, tendency, component, thing*.

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus)

I

n.

attribute, trait, feature, quality, peculiarity, aspect, mark, distinction, individuality, earmark, idiosyncrasy.

II

a.

typical, representative, indicative, distinguishing, illustrative, idiosyncratic, marked, peculiar, individual.

ANT.: atypical, anomalous

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) I adjective Serving to identify or set apart an individual or group: distinctive, individual, peculiar, typical, vintage. See SAME. II noun A distinctive element: attribute, character, feature, mark, peculiarity, property, quality, savor, trait. See BE.