feature

[fee-cher] /ˈfi tʃər/
noun
1.
a prominent or conspicuous part or characteristic:
Tall buildings were a new feature on the skyline.
2.
something offered as a special attraction:
This model has several added features.
3.
Also called feature film. the main motion picture in a movie program:
What time is the feature?
4.
any part of the face, as the nose, chin, or eyes:
prominent features.
5.
features, the face; countenance:
to compose one's features for the photographers.
6.
the form or cast of the face:
delicate of feature.
7.
a column, cartoon, etc., appearing regularly in a newspaper or magazine.
8.
feature story.
9.
Archaic. make, form, or shape.
verb (used with object), featured, featuring.
10.
to be a feature or distinctive mark of:
It was industrial expansion that featured the last century.
11.
to make a feature of; give prominence to:
to feature a story or picture in a newspaper.
12.
to delineate the main characteristics of; depict; outline.
13.
Informal. to conceive of; imagine; fancy:
He couldn't quite feature himself as a bank president.
14.
Older Use. to resemble in features; favor.
verb (used without object), featured, featuring.
15.
to play a major part.
Origin
1350-1400; 1905-10 for def 3; Middle English feture < Anglo-French, Middle French faiture < Latin factūra a making. See fact, -ure
Related forms
transfeature, verb (used with object), transfeatured, transfeaturing.
underfeature, noun
Synonyms
1. Feature, characteristic, peculiarity refer to a distinctive trait of an individual or of a class. Feature suggests an outstanding or marked property that attracts attention: Complete harmony was a feature of the convention. Characteristic means a distinguishing mark or quality (or one of such) always associated in one's mind with a particular person or thing: Defiance is one of his characteristics. Peculiarity means that distinct or unusual characteristic that marks off an individual in the class to which he, she, or it belongs: A blue-black tongue is a peculiarity of the chow chow.
Examples from the web for features
  • Photos that are uploaded later are scanned for physical features and can be tagged and stored.
  • Manufacturers are focused on the hardware features and specs, but that's not what consumers care about.
  • The latest movie news and special features on actors, directors and movie studios.
  • The delay is caused by the extra security features built into the new driving licence.
  • The faces were masculinised and feminised versions of the same features.
  • Apple isn't a company that adds features which aren't universally supported.
  • Local tastes and needs, as well as the state, are endowing it with distinctive features.
  • Once the fundamental features were uncovered, the decorating began.
  • Of course, design features are always a matter of subjective perception.
  • The shed features a recycled door and windows that let in plenty of light.
British Dictionary definitions for features

feature

/ˈfiːtʃə/
noun
1.
any one of the parts of the face, such as the nose, chin, or mouth
2.
a prominent or distinctive part or aspect, as of a landscape, building, book, etc
3.
the principal film in a programme at a cinema
4.
an item or article appearing regularly in a newspaper, magazine, etc: a gardening feature
5.
Also called feature story. a prominent story in a newspaper, etc: a feature on prison reform
6.
a programme given special prominence on radio or television as indicated by attendant publicity
7.
an article offered for sale as a special attraction, as in a large retail establishment
8.
(archaic) general form or make-up
9.
(linguistics) a quality of a linguistic unit at some level of description: grammatical feature, semantic feature
verb
10.
(transitive) to have as a feature or make a feature of
11.
to give prominence to (an actor, famous event, etc) in a film or (of an actor, etc) to have prominence in a film
12.
(transitive) (US, informal) to imagine; consider: I can't feature that happening
Word Origin
C14: from Anglo-French feture, from Latin factūra a making, from facere to make
Word Origin and History for features
n.

"parts of the visible body" (especially the face), c.1300, from feature (n.).

feature

n.

early 14c., "make, form, fashion," from Anglo-French feture, from Old French faiture "deed, action; fashion, shape, form; countenance," from Latin factura "a formation, a working," from past participle stem of facere "make, do, perform" (see factitious). Sense of "facial characteristic" is mid-14c.; that of "any distinctive part" first recorded 1690s. Entertainment sense is from 1801; in journalism by 1855. Meaning "a feature film" is from 1913.

v.

1755, "to resemble," from feature (n.). The sense of "make special display or attraction of" is 1888; entertainment sense from 1897. Related: Featured; featuring.