fingerprint
/ˈfɪŋɡɚˌpɹɪnt/noun
The pattern of ridged skin on the tip of a finger, which is different for every person.
Example sentences
- “Police found a fingerprint on the broken window.”
- “My phone unlocks as soon as it reads my fingerprint.”
The figurative use is common in science writing: a chemical or genetic fingerprint is a pattern unique enough to identify its source.