trait

Definitions

From French trait, from Latin tractus ('a drawing, a line'), from trahere. A trait is, originally, a 'stroke' or 'line' — a single feature drawn into someone's character, the way a line is drawn on a page.

Why It Means This

trait quietly preserves the 'line' meaning of trahere. Latin tractus meant a drawn line or stroke; French borrowed it as trait, a 'feature line.' So a personality trait is really a single 'line' in the sketch of who someone is — one distinct stroke that helps you recognize them.

Common Collocations

• 1.personality trait性格特质
• 2.character trait品格特点
• 3.inherited trait遗传特征
• 4.common trait共同特点

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Patience is a useful trait in a teacher.

• 2.

  Eye color is an inherited trait.