1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Quality  \Qual"i*ty\,  n.;  pl  {Qualities}.  [F.  qualit['e],  L. 
  qualitas  fr  qualis  how  constituted,  as  akin  to  E.  which 
  See  {Which}.] 
  1.  The  condition  of  being  of  such  and  such  a  sort  as 
  distinguished  from  others  nature  or  character  relatively 
  considered,  as  of  goods;  character;  sort;  rank. 
 
  We  lived  most  joyful,  obtaining  acquaintance  with 
  many  of  the  city  not  of  the  meanest  quality.  --Bacon 
 
  2.  Special  or  temporary  character;  profession;  occupation; 
  assumed  or  asserted  rank,  part  or  position. 
 
  I  made  that  inquiry  in  quality  of  an  antiquary. 
  --Gray. 
 
  3.  That  which  makes  or  helps  to  make  anything  such  as  it 
  is  anything  belonging  to  a  subject,  or  predicable  of  it 
  distinguishing  property,  characteristic,  or  attribute; 
  peculiar  power,  capacity,  or  virtue;  distinctive  trait; 
  as  the  tones  of  a  flute  differ  from  those  of  a  violin  in 
  quality;  the  great  quality  of  a  statesman. 
 
  Note:  Qualities,  in  metaphysics,  are  primary  or  secondary. 
  Primary  are  those  essential  to  the  existence,  and  even 
  the  conception,  of  the  thing  as  of  matter  or  spirit 
  Secondary  are  those  not  essential  to  such  a  conception. 
 
  4.  An  acquired  trait;  accomplishment;  acquisition. 
 
  He  had  those  qualities  of  horsemanship,  dancing,  and 
  fencing  which  accompany  a  good  breeding. 
  --Clarendon. 
 
  5.  Superior  birth  or  station;  high  rank;  elevated  character. 
  ``Persons  of  quality.''  --Bacon. 
 
  {Quality  binding},  a  kind  of  worsted  tape  used  in  Scotland 
  for  binding  carpets,  and  the  like 
 
  {The  quality},  those  of  high  rank  or  station,  as 
  distinguished  from  {the  masses},  or  common  people;  the 
  nobility;  the  gentry. 
 
  I  shall  appear  at  the  masquerade  dressed  up  in  my 
  feathers,  that  the  quality  may  see  how  pretty  they 
  will  look  in  their  traveling  habits.  --Addison. 
 
  Syn:  Property;  attribute;  nature;  peculiarity;  character; 
  sort;  rank;  disposition;  temper. 

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