characteristic vs quirk

characteristic

noun
  • A distinguishing feature of a person or thing. 

  • For a given field or ring, a natural number that is either the smallest positive number n such that n instances of the multiplicative identity (1) summed together yield the additive identity (0) or, if no such number exists, the number 0. 

  • The integer part of a logarithm. 

  • The distinguishing features of a navigational light on a lighthouse etc by which it can be identified (colour, pattern of flashes etc.). 

adj
  • Being a distinguishing feature of a person or thing. 

quirk

noun
  • An idiosyncrasy; a slight glitch, mannerism; something unusual about the manner or style of something or someone. 

  • An acute angle dividing a molding; a groove that runs lengthwise between the upper part of a moulding and a soffit. 

verb
  • To (cause to) move with a wry jerk. 

  • To furnish with a quirk or channel. 

How often have the words characteristic and quirk occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )