hall·mark
ˈhȯl-ˌmärk
1
a
: an official mark stamped on gold and silver articles in England to attest their purity
b
: a mark or device placed or stamped on an article of trade to indicate origin, purity, or genuineness
a hallmark from the Ming dynasty
2
: a distinguishing characteristic, trait, or feature
the dramatic flourishes which are the hallmark of the trial lawyer—Marion K. Sanders
hallmarked; hallmarking; hallmarks
: to stamp with a mark that indicates origin, purity, or genuineness : to stamp with a hallmark (see hallmark entry 1)
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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