Hallmark

Hallmark

hallmark |ˈhôlˌmärk|
noun
a mark stamped on articles of gold, silver, or platinum in Britain, certifying their standard of purity.
• a distinctive feature, esp. one of excellence : the tiny bubbles are the hallmark of fine champagnes.
verb [ trans. ]
stamp with a hallmark.
• designate as distinctive, esp. for excellence.
ORIGIN early 18th cent. (as a noun): from Goldsmiths’ Hall in London, England, where articles were tested and stamped with such a mark.