* Noun: This is the most common usage. It refers to the distinctive qualities or features of a person, place, or thing.
* Example: "The main characteristics of the new car are its fuel efficiency and spacious interior."
* Adjective: It can be used as an adjective to describe something that is typical or characteristic of something else.
* Example: "The characteristics smell of the bakery drew me in."
* Verb: While less common, "characterize" is a verb meaning to describe or define the distinctive qualities of something. "Characteristics" is the noun form of this verb.
* Example: "The author characterized the protagonist as a lonely and introspective figure."
So, to know for sure what part of speech "characteristics" is, you need to look at its context within the sentence.