Definition of "Characteristic" :

noun: a distinguishing quality

noun: any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions

noun: a prominent attribute or aspect of something

"Generosity is one of his best characteristics."

noun: the integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2

adjective: typical or distinctive

"Heard my friend's characteristic laugh."