Origin and history of feature

late 14c., feture, "make, bodily form, fashion" (obsolete); also "lines or other characteristics of the face," from Anglo-French feture, from Old French faiture "deed, action; fashion, shape, form; countenance," from Latin factura "a formation, a working," from past participle stem of facere "make, do, perform" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put").

In reference to any distinctive part of anything, by 1690s. The entertainment sense is attested from 1801; the meaning "a feature film" is by 1913. The journalism sense is by 1855. Latin factura also is the source of Spanish hechura, Portuguese feitura, Italian fattura.

1755, "resemble, have features resembling," from feature (n.). The sense of "make special display or attraction of" is 1888; the entertainment sense is from 1897. Related: Featured; featuring.