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

Ensemble brio, thrillingly in evidence in the live-stream presentation of the New York production, is still the hallmark of a play that sees community as the only reliable answer to impossible times.

From Los Angeles Times

"We are aware of many other thefts that share some of the hallmarks of North Korea-linked activity but lack sufficient evidence to be definitively attributed," he says.

From BBC

For all that, however, the sense of calm control and composure that was the hallmark of Liverpool's title win has been lost - and was missing again the fierce surroundings of Istanbul.

From BBC

“The impossible Fortune” strains at times to manage its numerous plot threads and twists; that’s one of the quirkier hallmarks of Osman’s writing.

From Los Angeles Times

Hollinrake said the absence of any declarations had "all the hallmarks of yet another Downing Street cover up".

From BBC

Related Words

• indication 
• trademark