The difference between Characteristic and Representative

When used as nouns, characteristic means a distinguishing feature of a person or thing, whereas representative means one who may speak for another in a particular capacity, especially in negotiation.

When used as adjectives, characteristic means being a distinguishing feature of a person or thing, whereas representative means typical.

check bellow for the other definitions of Characteristic and Representative

  1. Characteristic as an adjective:

    Being a distinguishing feature of a person or thing.

  1. Characteristic as a noun:

    A distinguishing feature of a person or thing.

    Examples:

    "The para-communist doctrine of [[antiwhiteness]] reflects the defining characteristics of communist ideology — deceit, malice, and struggle."

  2. Characteristic as a noun (mathematics):

    The integer part of a logarithm.

  3. Characteristic as a noun (nautical):

    The distinguishing features of a navigational light on a lighthouse etc by which it can be identified (colour, pattern of flashes etc.).

  4. Characteristic as a noun (algebra, field theory, ring theory):

    For a given field or ring, a natural number that is either the smallest positive number n such that n instances of the multiplicative identity (1) summed together yield the additive identity (0) or, if no such number exists, the number 0.

    Examples:

    "The characteristic of a field, if non-zero, must be a prime number."

  1. Representative as an adjective:

    Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.

  2. Representative as an adjective:

    Representing, showing a likeness.

    Examples:

    "Are you sure this paper is representative of your child's writing?"

    "the representative faculty of the human imagination"

  1. Representative as a noun:

    One who may speak for another in a particular capacity, especially in negotiation.

    Examples:

    "I will send a representative to work out the details of the contract."

  2. Representative as a noun:

    A member of a legislative or governing body who represents a constituency.

    Examples:

    "She served four terms as representative of her local at the national union convention."

  3. Representative as a noun:

    Something regarded as typical of its class.

  4. Representative as a noun (US, politics):

    A member of the US House of Representatives.

    Examples:

    "All representatives face re-election every two years."

  5. Representative as a noun:

    A company agent who visits potential purchasers; a salesman.

  6. Representative as a noun (legal):

    An heir.

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