An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1a ) A distinguishing feature or quality.

1b) The integer part of a → common logarithm.

For example, log₁₀ (23) = 1.362, where the characteristic is 1 and the → mantissa is 0.362.

2) Pertaining to, constituting, or indicating the character or

peculiar quality of a person or thing; typical; distinctive.

See also: → character; → -istic.