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 Words From

• hallmarker 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 concept of evidence-based medicine, for so long a hallmark of trustworthiness, has been deeply corrupted by drug and device manufacturers whose deep pockets can sway the results and the reporting.

From Fortune

A sleek design is a hallmark of Moleskine, and makes this a great notebook for well beyond the classroom.

From Popular-Science

Diversity was also a hallmark of “Vida,” which ran for three seasons on STARZ.

From Washington Blade

In fact, the lack of reliable, quickly updating data has been a hallmark of this crisis, whether it be public health or economic data.

From FiveThirtyEight

Just as scientists are beginning to understand how this microbiome supports human health, hallmarks of modern life such as antibiotics and processed foods may be pushing many of our microbial residents toward extinction.

From Science News

The idea that January 1st initiates a period of new beginning is not a flash of Hallmark brilliance.

From The Daily Beast

They apparently took that as a sign of suspicious activity, even though that can be a hallmark of people on the autism spectrum.

From The Daily Beast

Split-ticket voting in general elections, the hallmark of so-called independents, is relatively rare.

From The Daily Beast

Fast food and personified death: not exactly Hallmark material.

From The Daily Beast

This is the hallmark of a successful multiplatform communication strategy.

From The Daily Beast

What (p. 310)they meant was that it was unconventional, was without the dignity of tradition to give it its hallmark.

From Project Gutenberg

In all cases success starts with innovative intelligence products, which has not been a hallmark of United States operations.

From Project Gutenberg

There was imposed upon it the unmistakable hallmark of spirituality that has always identified it in the throng of the nations.

From Project Gutenberg

Nature does not make duplicates; her creative hallmark is upon every leaf and bee; upon every cliff and cloud and star.

From Project Gutenberg

The reverse is fitted with two studs and a hook and bears the hallmark of "W. Pinchin, Philada."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• indication
• trademark