distinc′tive fea′ture

any of a set of phonetic properties, as bilabial, voiced, or nasal, serving to characterize and distinguish between the significant sounds or phonemes in a language.

[1925–30]

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Noun

distinctive feature - an odd or unusual characteristic

distinguishing characteristic, peculiarity

characteristic, feature - a prominent attribute or aspect of something; "the map showed roads and other features"; "generosity is one of his best characteristics"

calling card - a distinguishing characteristic or behavior; "bombs are a terrorist's calling cards"

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References in classic literature

Our epoch, the epoch of the bourgeoisie, possesses, however, this distinctive feature: it has simplified the class antagonisms: Society as a whole is more and more splitting up into two great hostile camps, into two great classes, directly facing each other: Bourgeoisie and Proletariat.

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But possessing all the grand distinctive features of the leviathan, most naturalists have recognised him for one.

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BAGHDAD / NINA / - Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali al-Hakim said that coexistence among different religions and sects is a distinctive feature of the Iraqi people, which he presented to all nations and peoples of the world.

Minister of Foreign Affairs: The coexistence of different religions and sects is one of the distinguishing features of the Iraqi people

Just like the Bosphorus, fortresses, palaces, streets, seaside residences and ferries, cats too earn Istanbul a distinctive feature, says a little campaign by Turkish Tourism.

"A distinctive feature of this ice rink is the organic integration of the skating rink into the park environment and its general accessibility.

Public ice skating rink opens in Youth Park in Bishkek

"We are hoping his hooded top is a distinctive feature."

A woman was followed by a hooded man in Llanelli who then tried to rob her; 'This incident left the victim understandably very shaken'

Creative director Alessandro Michele updated the finish of this distinctive feature to give it a new look.

Strong, mythical women inspire two new Gucci bags

The distinctive feature of this kind of art varies from an artist to another depending on their respective abilities to depict human feelings; it has a growing appeal among the rich Iranians nowadays, said Ali Akbar Beki, an Iranian painter.

Iranians favor drawing over photography

Distinctive features " The distinctive feature of few of the off- campus colleges is the specialised course they offer.

Off- campus DU colleges attract more aspirants

A distinctive feature of The Monkey and the Bee is that it reads almost entirely like a pictorial graphic novel--the only story words are "The monkey", "The bee", and "The lion", interspersed among bold, vivid illustrations that speak for themselves!

The Monkey and the Bee

What is the most distinctive feature of a clumber spaniel?

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