trait

trait

noun \ˈtrāt, British usually ˈtrā\

Definition of TRAIT

1

a : a stroke of or as if of a pencil b : touch, trace

2

a : a distinguishing quality (as of personal character) <curiosity is one of her notable traits> b : an inherited characteristic

Examples of TRAIT

1. This dog breed has a number of desirable traits.
2. <honesty is one of her defining traits>

Origin of TRAIT

Middle French, literally, act of drawing, from Latin tractus — more at tract

First Known Use: 1589

Related to TRAIT

Synonyms: affection, attribute, attribution, character, criterion, diagnostic, differentia, feature, fingerprint, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, characteristic

Related Words: badge, indication, sign; emblem, symbol, token; charm, grace; excellence, merit, virtue; eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, quirk; individuality, singularity, uniqueness

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Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

Rhymes with TRAIT

ait, bait, bate, blate, cate, crate, date, eight, fate, fete, freight, gait, gate, grate, great, haet, hate, late, mate, pate, plait, plate, prate, quoit, rate, sate, skate, slate, spate, state, straight, strait, teth, wait, weight