hallmark

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: hall=mark

OXFORD DICTIONARY

hallmark, n. & v.
--n.
1 a mark used at Goldsmiths' Hall (and by the UK assay offices) for marking the standard of gold, silver, and platinum.
2 any distinctive feature esp. of excellence.
--v.tr.
1 stamp with a hallmark.
2 designate as excellent.

THESAURUS

hallmark

aroma, attribute, authentication, badge, banner, billhead, book stamp, bookplate, brand, broad arrow, cachet, cast, character, characteristic, check, colophon, configuration, counterfoil, countermark, cut, device, differentia, differential, distinctive feature, docket, earmark, feature, figure, flavor, government mark, government stamp, gust, identification, idiocrasy, idiosyncrasy, image, impress, impression, imprint, index, indicant, indicator, individualism, insignia, keynote, label, letterhead, lineaments, logo, logotype, mannerism, mark, marking, masthead, measure, mold, nature, note, odor, particularity, peculiarity, picture, plate, price tag, property, quality, quirk, registered trademark, representation, representative, running head, running title, savor, seal, shape, sigil, sign, signal, signature, signet, singularity, smack, specialty, stamp, sticker, stub, sure sign, symbol, symptom, tab, tag, taint, tally, tang, taste, telltale sign, ticket, title page, token, trade name, trademark, trademark name, trait, trick, verification