hallmark
Other forms: hallmarks; hallmarked; hallmarking
A hallmark is a distinctive characteristic of something or someone. That can mean a literal symbol on the bottom of a piece of pottery, or just a rock star's signature hair style.
Though some products have real hallmarks on them, indicating their creator or origin, this word is usually used in a less literal way to describe a unique attribute, a special style, or typical feature. A basketball player could say that coming to practice early is a hallmark of her success. A business could say their success is a hallmark of their commitment to customers. And you could definitely say Elvis' hip swivel was a hallmark of his performances.
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a mark on an article of trade to indicate its origin and authenticitysynonyms: assay-mark, authentication
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stamp precious metals or other objects with a symbol to show their value, purity, and origin
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a distinctive characteristic or attribute
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Vocabulary lists containing hallmark
President Obama delivered his farewell address on January 10, 2017. The speech detailed what President Obama holds to be the core components that make up American democracy and outlined what he considers to be the continuing threats, located both home and abroad. It was also a speech rich in gratitude, both personal and professional, as President Obama prepares to leave office on January 20, 2017. Here are 28 vocabulary words from the speech.
On May 15, 2016, President Obama gave the commencement address at Rutgers University in New Jersey. The speech addressed how the country has confronted our political problems with the intelligence we have derived from our education, which will help us tell the difference between lofty promises with nothing behind them and vows we can keep.
From "‘I Want to Be a Boy Scout.’ There’s Just One Hitch." The New York Times, Nov. 22, 2015 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/23/us/girls-in-california-are-latest-to-seek-to-become-boy-scouts.html