A "trait" is a distinguishing characteristic or quality that defines an individual or a group. Traits can be physical, such as eye color or height, or they can be psychological, like personality traits such as kindness or introversion. These characteristics help to shape how a person behaves and interacts with others. In the context of biology, traits are often inherited from parents to offspring through genes. For example, a genetic trait like freckles can be passed down, influencing the appearance of future generations. Understanding traits is essential in fields like psychology, genetics, and even animal breeding.