fingerprint

fin·ger·print

noun \-ˌprint\

Definition of FINGERPRINT

1

: the impression of a fingertip on any surface; also : an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification

2

: something that identifies: as

a : a trait, trace, or characteristic revealing origin or responsibility

b : analytical evidence (as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance; especially : the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis

c : the base-pair pattern in an individual's DNA obtained by DNA fingerprinting

— fingerprint transitive verb

— fin·ger·print·ing noun

Examples of FINGERPRINT

1. Detectives found his fingerprints all over the gun.
2. Everyone has a unique fingerprint.

Illustration of FINGERPRINT

First Known Use of FINGERPRINT

1859

Related to FINGERPRINT

Synonyms

affection, attribute, attribution, character, criterion, diagnostic, differentia, feature, characteristic, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, trait

Related Words

badge, indication, sign; emblem, symbol, token; charm, grace; excellence, merit, virtue; eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, quirk; individuality, singularity, uniqueness

Rhymes with FINGERPRINT

aquatint, calamint, contact print, cuckoopint, mezzotint, overprint, peppermint, wunderkind