Traços

Traços is the plural of traço, a Portuguese word with several related meanings centered on lines, marks and distinguishing features. In everyday language it denotes characteristics that identify or describe something or someone, such as physical features, personality traits, or stylistic marks.

In art and handwriting, traços refer to the strokes or lines produced by a pencil, brush or pen. The collection of these strokes forms drawings, scripts, or written characters.

In science, traços is commonly used as a translation of trait. It describes observable or heritable characteristics of organisms. In genetics, traits can be phenotypes—visible features influenced by genes and environment—or genotypes—the genetic basis behind them. In botany and zoology, traços help distinguish species or varieties, such as leaf shape, color or growth habit.

In linguistics and semiotics, traços denote distinctive features that separate signs or sounds. Phonological traits like voicing or articulation, and broader semiotic traits that characterize a language system, are described using this term. The usage emphasizes contrast and identification of differences within a system.

Notes: traço is the singular form used for a single mark or feature; traços for multiple. The term appears across domains with overlapping meanings, from everyday speech to technical descriptions.