characteristic
UK: ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪk | US: ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪk
adj. typical of a particular person, place, or thing
n. a distinguishing feature or quality
The word "characteristic" originates from the Greek "kharaktēr" (a stamping tool, distinctive mark), which passed into Latin as "character." The suffix "-istic" (from Greek "-istikos") denotes "pertaining to" or "of the nature of." Over time, the term evolved to describe qualities that distinctly identify a person, object, or phenomenon. The morpheme "character" retains its core meaning of uniqueness, while "-istic" generalizes it into an adjective form.
The striped pattern is characteristic of a tiger.
Honesty is one of her defining characteristics.
This behavior is characteristic of his rebellious nature.
The plant has several characteristics that make it drought-resistant.
A characteristic feature of Gothic architecture is the pointed arch.