hallmark

American  

[hawl-mahrk] / ˈhɔlˌmɑrk /

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

hallmark British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• hallmarker noun

Etymology

Origin of hallmark

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

Example Sentences

While one of the hallmarks of Chekhov’s work is its emotional authenticity, “The Disappear” never quite dispels a feeling of artificiality.

From The Wall Street Journal

This new rate comes after a hallmark week for the streaming service.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, while Djokovic may not have taken up residence in the dwelling, it boasts the hallmarks of a celebrity abode, offering all manner of luxurious amenities for tenants to enjoy.

From MarketWatch

Instead, it has all the hallmarks of both a black comedy comprising carefully crafted scenes and a deft character study made up of painstakingly applied warts-and-all detail.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Once a cell picks up the wrong mutation, then it's really off to the races and they've already gotten a head start on some of those hallmarks of cancer."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• indication
• trademark