characteristic : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: characteristic	by the DICT Development Group
4 results for characteristic
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
characteristic adj typical or distinctive; "heard my friend's characteristic laugh"; "red and gold are the characteristic colors of autumn"; "stripes characteristic of the zebra" Antonym(s): uncharacteristic n a prominent attribute or aspect of something; "the map showed roads and other features"; "generosity is one of his best characteristics" Synonym(s): feature, characteristic a distinguishing quality the integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2 any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions Synonym(s): characteristic, device characteristic
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
3. A table for facilitating reference to topics, names, and the like, in a book; -- usually alphabetical in arrangement, and printed at the end of the volume. 4. A prologue indicating what follows. [Obs.] --Shak. 5. (Anat.) The second digit, that next pollex, in the manus, or hand; the forefinger; index finger. 6. (Math.) The figure or letter which shows the power or root of a quantity; the exponent. [In this sense the plural is always {indices}.] {Index error}, the error in the reading of a mathematical instrument arising from the zero of the index not being in complete adjustment with that of the limb, or with its theoretically perfect position in the instrument; a correction to be applied to the instrument readings equal to the error of the zero adjustment. {Index expurgatorius}. [L.] See {Index prohibitorius} (below). {Index finger}. See {Index}, 5. {Index glass}, the mirror on the index of a quadrant, sextant, etc. {Index hand}, the pointer or hand of a clock, watch, or other registering machine; a hand that points to something. {Index of a logarithm} (Math.), the integral part of the logarithm, and always one less than the number of integral figures in the given number. It is also called the {characteristic}. {Index of refraction}, [or] {Refractive index} (Opt.), the number which expresses the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction. Thus the index of refraction for sulphur is 2, because, when light passes out of air into sulphur, the sine of the angle of incidence is double the sine of the angle of refraction. {Index plate}, a graduated circular plate, or one with circular rows of holes differently spaced; used in machines for graduating circles, cutting gear teeth, etc. {Index prohibitorius} [L.], or {Prohibitory index} (R. C. Ch.), a catalogue of books which are forbidden by the church to be read; the index expurgatorius [L.], or expurgatory index, is a catalogue of books from which passages marked as against faith or morals must be removed before Catholics can read them. These catalogues are published with additions, from time to time, by the Congregation of the Index, composed of cardinals, theologians, etc., under the sanction of the pope. --Hook. {Index rerum} [L.], a tabulated and alphabetized notebook, for systematic preservation of items, quotations, etc.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Characteristic \Char`acteris"tic\, a. [Gr. [?]: cf. F. charact[82]ristique.] Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive. Characteristic clearness of temper. --Macaulay.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Characteristic \Char`acteris"tic\, n. 1. A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized. --Pope. The characteristics of a true critic. --Johnson. 2. (Math.) The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a logarithm.