Most attacks of pancreatitis are caused by gallstones that block the flow of pancreatic enzymes or by excessive amounts of alcohol. Sudden (acute) pancreatitis may happen after a drinking binge or after many episodes of heavy drinking. Other causes of acute pancreatitis are: Infections, including mumps.
Density as a Characteristic Property. The density of a substance is a characteristic of that substance. Therefore, density is a property that can be used to help identify a substance. Properties used to help identify substances are called characteristic properties. Characteristic properties are not affected by the amount or shape of a substance: A bolt made from iron will have the same characteristic properties as the hull of an iron ship or a piece of iron railing.
1. a prominent aspect of something. 2. a distinguishing quality. 3. the integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2. 4. any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions. Familiarity information: CHARACTERISTIC used as a noun is uncommon.