trait

[ treyt; British also 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

/ trāt /

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

These traits make people particularly susceptible to melanoma, as their skin offers less protection against harmful ultraviolet radiation.

From Science Daily

This makes it easier for new traits to emerge during evolution.

From Science Daily

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s head honcho delivered half a minute of praise for Trump’s resilience, work ethic and other character traits that he very obviously doesn’t possess.

From Salon

When resistance is "selected," cancer cells or insects with resistant traits to treatment or pesticides, respectively, survive and reproduce, while the others are eliminated.

From Science Daily

These traits made the decision a no-brainer as the choice to bring the Sparks back to relevancy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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