Trait and Portrait Both Come From Drawing
A trait is a distinguishing characteristic. The word originally meant a stroke of the pen.
A trait is a distinguishing quality or characteristic. French *trait* meant a stroke of the pen or brush, from Latin *tractus*, a drawing — so a trait was originally a line that defined a face, and by extension a feature of character. *Portrait* is the same root, literally a drawing forth. In genetics a trait is any observable characteristic, and the distinction between *dominant* and *recessive* traits was Mendel's contribution.
- A characteristic. *A family trait.*
- A genetic feature. *An inherited trait.*
- Portrait — from the same root. *A portrait.*
- French — *trait*, a stroke. *The source.*
- Latin — *tractus*, a drawing. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | trait | A trait. |
| Plural | traits | Traits. |
| Related | portrait | A portrait. |
| French | trait | A stroke. |
| Latin | tractus | A drawing. |
- Patience is her strongest trait.Character.
- The trait is inherited.Genetics.
- Trait meant a pen stroke.Etymology.
The tractus family again
- Trait — a defining stroke or feature
- Portrait — a likeness drawn forth
- Trace — a drawn-out mark
- Tract — a drawn-out extent
- Retreat — to draw back
French *trait*, a stroke or line, from Latin *tractus*, a drawing out, from *trahere*, to draw.
Are trait and portrait related?
Yes. Both come from Latin trahere, to draw. A trait was a defining line, a portrait a likeness drawn forth.
What is a trait in genetics?
Any observable characteristic of an organism, such as eye colour or seed shape, that can be inherited.