characteristic

The story

1. Ancient Greekχαράσσω (kharássō)
2. Ancient Greekχαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr)
3. Ancient Greekχαρακτηρίζω (kharaktērízō)
4. Ancient Greekχᾰρᾰκτηριστῐκός (khărăktēristĭkós)
5. English todaycharacteristic

From Ancient Greek χαρακτηριστικός (kharaktēristikós), from χαρακτηρίζω (kharaktērízō, “to designate by a characteristic mark”), from χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “a mark, character”). By surface analysis, character + -istic.

First known use, by meaning

• from 17th c. Indicating a distinguishing feature of a person or thing; typical.
• from 17th c. Describing or pertaining to personal characters or character types; characterful.