hallmark

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a distinctive characteristic or attribute
  2. noun a mark on an article of trade to indicate its origin and authenticity

Etymology

1721. From hall + mark, from Goldsmiths' Hall in London, the site of the assay office, official stamp of purity in gold and silver articles. The general sense of “mark of quality” first recorded 1864. Use as a verb from 1773.

In classic literature

Synonyms

trademark, earmark, stylemark

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