trait

[treyt, trey]

noun

1. a distinguishing characteristic or quality, especially of one's personal nature.

   bad traits of character.

   Synonyms: property, attribute, mark, peculiarity

2. a pen or pencil stroke.

3. a stroke, touch, or strain, as of some quality.

   a trait of pathos; a trait of ready wit.

trait

/ treɪ, treɪt /

noun

1. a characteristic feature or quality distinguishing a particular person or thing

2. rare,  a touch or stroke

trait

1. A genetically determined characteristic or condition. Traits may be physical, such as hair color or leaf shape, or they may be behavioral, such as nesting in birds and burrowing in rodents. Traits typically result from the combined action of several genes, though some traits are expressed by a single gene.

Word History and Origins

Origin of trait¹

First recorded in 1470–80; from Middle French: literally, “something drawn,” from Latin tractus; tract ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of trait¹

C16: from French, from Old French: a pulling, from Latin tractus , from trahere to drag

Example Sentences

What the goals conceded against Forest do highlight however is the lack of balance, intensity and chemistry - traits that have underpinned Liverpool's success for so long.

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Nelleman argues the tests lack scientific validity and were developed to study personality traits rather than predict parenting ability.

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There were so many familiar traits but Smith has never batted quite like this.

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Transients occur in six regions worldwide, and the West Coast transient population is the best studied, with its own identifiable genetic traits.

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Domestication syndrome - anatomical and morphological changes such as curly tails, floppy ears, depigmentation, smaller brains and reduced facial skeletons - are commonly cited as some of the most salient traits, the study says.

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Related Words

• attribute 
• character 
• feature 
• habit 
• idiosyncrasy 
• manner 
• oddity 
• peculiarity 
• quality 
• quirk 
• trick 
• virtue