hallmark

hall·mark  (hôlmärk)

n.

1. A mark indicating quality or excellence.

2. A mark used in England to stamp gold and silver articles that meet established standards of purity.

3. A conspicuous feature or characteristic: "The sense of guilt is the hallmark of civilized humanity" Theodor Reik.

tr.v. hall·marked, hall·mark·ing, hall·marks

To stamp (gold and silver articles) with a mark indicating purity.

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[After Goldsmith's Hall in London, England, where gold and silver articles were appraised and stamped.]

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hallmark

Noun

1. a typical feature: secrecy became the hallmark of government

2. Brit an official seal stamped on gold, silver, or platinum articles to guarantee purity and date of manufacture

3. a mark of authenticity or excellence

Verb

to stamp with a hallmark [after Goldsmiths' Hall in London, where items were stamped]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	hallmark - a distinctive characteristic or attribute stylemark, trademark, earmark characteristic - a distinguishing quality mould, mold - a distinctive nature, character, or type; "a leader in the mold of her predecessors"
	2.	hallmark - a mark on an article of trade to indicate its origin and authenticity assay-mark, authentication marking, mark, marker - a distinguishing symbol; "the owner's mark was on all the sheep"

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hallmark

noun 1. trademark, indication, badge, emblem, sure sign, telltale sign

noun 2. Brit. mark, sign, device, stamp, seal, symbol, signet, authentication

Translations

hallmark [ˈhɔːlmɑːk] n (mark) → rasgo distintivo (= seal); sello

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hallmark [ˈhɔːlmɑːk] n → poinçon m (fig); marque f

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hallmark [ˈhɔːlmɑːk] n (on gold, silver) → (Feingehalts)stempel m;

(of writer, artist etc) → Kennzeichen nt

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hallmark [ˈhɔːlmɑːk] n → marchio di garanzia;

(fig) → caratteristica