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quality |
4 definitions 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: quality adj 1: of superior grade; "choice wines"; "fine wines" "prime beef"; "prize carnations"; "quality paper"; "select peaches" [syn: {choice}, {fine}, {prime(a)}, {prize}, {select}] 2: of high social status; "people of quality"; "a quality family" n 1: an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare 2: a degree or grade of excellence or worth: "the quality of students has risen"; "an executive of low caliber" [syn: {caliber}, {calibre}] 3: a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something "each town has a quality all its own"; "the radical character of our demands" [syn: {character}, {lineament}] 4: the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice or noise or musical sound); "the timbre of her soprano was rich and lovely"; "the muffled tones of the broken bell summoned them to meet" [syn: {timbre}, {timber}, {tone}] 5: high social status; "a man of quality" From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: Quality, KY Zip code(s): 42268 From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (13 Mar 01) [foldoc]: quality The totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs Not to be mistaken for "degree of excellence" or "fitness for use" which meet only part of the definition. [{ISO8402}]. (1995-11-10)
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