hallmark

[hawl-mahrk]

noun

1. an official mark or stamp indicating a standard of purity, used in marking gold and silver articles assayed by the Goldsmiths' Company of London; plate mark.

2. any mark or special indication of genuineness, good quality, etc.

3. any distinguishing feature or characteristic.

   Accuracy is a hallmark of good scholarship.

verb (used with object)

1. to stamp or imprint (something) with a hallmark.

hallmark

/ ˈhɔːlˌmɑːk /

noun

1. an official series of marks, instituted by statute in 1300, and subsequently modified, stamped by the Guild of Goldsmiths at one of its assay offices on gold, silver, or platinum (since 1975) articles to guarantee purity, date of manufacture, etc

2. a mark or sign of authenticity or excellence

3. an outstanding or distinguishing feature

verb

1. (tr) to stamp with or as if with a hallmark

Other Word Forms

• hallmarker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hallmark¹

1715–25; Goldsmiths' Hall, London, the seat of the Goldsmiths' Company + mark ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hallmark¹

C18: named after Goldsmiths' Hall in London, where items were graded and stamped

Example Sentences

The AMI observations, led by the Hebrew University team, were crucial in revealing the unusually rapid evolution of the radio emission -- a hallmark of this event and a major clue to understanding its physical nature.

Read more on Science Daily

His rise has all the hallmarks of a Shakespearean drama.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For many observers it heralds a return, for good or ill, to the party politicking that was a hallmark of the pre-1958 Fourth Republic.

Read more on BBC

Slowly but surely, this is weakening fellowship and community bonds — the hallmarks of many religious groups.

Read more on Salon

Making contact and putting the ball in play has been a hallmark of the bottom half of the Dodgers’ lineup — and it’s probably a big factor in its success.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• indication 
• trademark