characteristic distortion [´kar·ik·tǝ`ris·tik dǝ`stȯr·shǝn] COMMUNICATIONS 1. Displacement of signal transitions resulting from the persistence of transients caused by preceding transitions. 2. In teletypewriter transmission systems, repetitive displacement or disruption peculiar to specific portions of a teletypewriter signal; the two types of characteristic distortions are line and equipment. |