cardinal trait

American  

noun

Psychology.

1. a basic and dominant characteristic, as greed or ambition, that, according to a theory developed by psychologist Gordon Allport (1936), controls the behavior of many people.

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Example Sentences

The spirit of gallantry, inspiring devotion to woman, especially the chosen object of love, and protection to womanly weakness, was always a cardinal trait of the chivalric temper.

From Outline of Universal History by Fisher, George Park

"One further cardinal trait, which is in a sense a result of the preceding traits, has to be named—the ability to discern inconspicuous analogies."

From Herbert Spencer by Thomson, J. Arthur (John Arthur)