Also 6 traite, 7 traict. [a. F. trait, in obs. F. traict, tret, draught, stroke, touch, line = Pr. trait feature:—L. tractus drawing, draught: see TRACT sb.3]
† 1. ‘Shot’ of any kind, missiles; orig. arrows. Obs. rare.
[c. 1477. Caxton, Jason, 112. Shoting on them arowes & other trait [F. tirerent sur eulx saictes et aultre trait].
† 2. A drawing out; protraction; = TRACT sb.3 1. Obs. rare.
1545. in Leadam, Crt. of Requests (Selden), 169. Then … tapper [= to appear] for heryng of the matter without any further traite of tyme.
† 3. That which is drawn; a line, streak, stripe. Sc. Obs. rare.
1561. Inv. Roy. Wardr. (1815), 133. Item ane claith of estate of fresit claith of gold and traitis of violet silk partit equalie with violet velvot. [Cf. below Drauchtis of violett silk partit equalie with violett velvot.]
4. A stroke made with pen or pencil; a short line; a touch (in a picture).
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. i. (Arb.), 150. The skilfull painters [chief praise] is in the good conueyance of his coulours and shadowing traits of his pensill.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXXV. xi. II. 550. In these [unfinished paintings] a man may (as it were) see what traicts and lineaments remaine to bee done.
1756. J. Kennedy, Curios. Wilton Ho. (1786), 45. The Traits are most beautiful, and the Sculpture of the very best Ages.
1823. J. Badcock, Dom. Amusem., 141. The copy … is correct to a trait.
fig. 1860. Westcott, Introd. Study Gosp., vi. (1881), 340. The picture which he draws can be completed by traits taken from the other Evangelists.
1863. Mary Howitt, F. Bremer’s Greece, I. vi. 160. Let me now sketch some traits from that grand vision.
† b. Something penned; a line, passage, or piece of writing. Obs.
1572. Abp. Parker, Corr. (Parker Soc.), 414. In reading some words thereof … ye may think he hath mine information, but before God that trait was only of himself.
5. A line or lineament of the face; a feature.
1773. Life N. Frowde, 52. The ten Thousand lovely Traits, that dwelt in every Feature of her radiant Face.
1809. Med. Jrnl., XXI. 329. The latter inherits the general exterior resemblance of his father, or even his shape, characteristic traits, looks, or voice.
1821. Shelley, Lett., 15 Aug. Her face is somewhat altered. The traits have become more delicate.
1860. Emerson, Cond. Life, Behavior, Wks. (Bohn), II. 385. A man finds room in the few square inches of the face for the traits of all his ancestors.
6. A particular feature of mind or character; a distinguishing quality; a characteristic.
1752. H. Walpole, Lett. to Mann, 28 Oct. A most sensible trait of the King.
1797. Monthly Mag., III. 494. That love of order, which is a remarkable trait in his character.
1803. Nelson, in Nicolas, Disp. (1846), VII. p. ccxxxi. A very excellent young man, and has all the traits for making an excellent seaman and naval officer.
1807. W. Irving, Salmag., iii. (1824), 38. Who have no national trait about them but their language.
1859. Wraxall, trans. R. Houdin, xviii. 238. A pleasing trait of English manners and customs.
1897. Gen. H. Porter, in Century Mag., Sept., 744/1. Sheridan now began to exhibit those traits which always made him a tower of strength.
b. Of a thing.
1864. Bowen, Logic, i. (1870), 7. The Concept refers to all the things whose common or similar attributes or traits it conceives.
1865. Livingstone, Zambesi, xxiv. 496. This trait was confined to the cool highlands.
1869. Tozer, Highl. Turkey, II. 269. The character of the tales has been altered…, yet … the original traits have … been preserved.
1871. Jowett, Plato, I. 254. Some lesser traits of the dialogue may be noted.
c. A ‘touch’ of some quality. Now rare.
1815. W. H. Ireland, Scribbleomania, 56, note. A poem … wherein are to be found many traits of exuberant genius.
1830. Moore, Byron, I. 328. A trait of pathos or high feeling, in comedy, has a peculiar charm.
1835. Ure, Philos. Manuf., 343. Many traits of almost parental kindness on the part of the masters.
7. A stroke: † a. of skill or cunning. Double trait, a stroke of double dealing. Obs.
a. 1625. in Gutch, Coll. Cur., I. 187. You deal with a Nation that hath playd more double Traits … than all the World beside.
b. of wit, sarcasm, pleasantry.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, Ded. Embellished with traits of wit so poignant and so apposite.
1781. H. Walpole, Lett. to H. S. Conway, 16 Sept. In Voltaire’s letters are some bitter traits on the King of Prussia.
1859. Tennyson, Elaine, 320. When he fell From talk of war to traits of pleasantry.
