A "characteristic" refers to a distinguishing feature or quality that helps to define or identify a person, object, or concept. Characteristics can be physical traits, such as color or size, or they can be behavioral traits, like kindness or aggressiveness. For example, the characteristic of a dog might include loyalty and playfulness. In scientific contexts, characteristics are often used to categorize living organisms or materials. For instance, the characteristics of a plant may include its leaf shape, growth habit, and reproductive methods. Understanding these traits is essential for classification and study in fields like biology and ecology.