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Original · left

Feature (characteristic)

A distinctive attribute or aspect of something, or a full-length film.

First in use: the 1300s
Duplicate · right

Feature (machine learning)

An individual measurable property used as an input to a machine-learning model.

First in use: the 1950s

Feature / Feature (characteristic) / Feature (machine learning)

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Duplicate share · 12 mo—
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Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Facial features vs. model inputs.

Which meaning of Feature is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Feature (characteristic) came first (the 1300s). Feature (machine learning) arrived in the 1950s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Feature (characteristic)Feature (machine learning)
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

Share-of-attention line loads here.

The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · the 1300s

Feature (characteristic)

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Duplicate · the 1950s

Feature (machine learning)

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