Quality — Defs

01 n. The condition of being of such and such a sort as distinguished from others; nature or character relatively considered, as of goods; charac…

pl. Qualities ((#))

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.
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.
“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.

Phrases & compounds

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.