quality

qual•i•ty

[[t]ˈkwɒl ɪ ti[/t]] n. pl. -ties, adj.

1) an essential characteristic, property, or attribute:

the qualities found in great writing[/ex]

2) character or nature, as belonging to or distinguishing a thing:

the quality of a color[/ex]

3) character with respect to grade of excellence or fineness:

materials of poor quality[/ex]

4) superiority; excellence:

a reputation for quality[/ex]

5) a personality or character trait:

Generosity is one of her many good qualities[/ex]

6) an accomplishment or attainment

7) high social position:

a man of quality[/ex]

8) phs

timbre 1)

9) phn the tonal color, or timbre, that characterizes a particular vowel sound

10) pho logic the character of a proposition as affirmative or negative

11) social status or position

12) a person or persons of high social position

13) of or having superior quality:

quality paper[/ex]

14) cvb producing or providing products or services of high quality:

a quality publisher[/ex]

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Etymology: 1250–1300; ME qualite < OF < L quālitās=quāl(is) of what sort +-itās -ity syn: quality, attribute, property refer to a distinguishing feature or characteristic of a person, thing, or group. A quality is an innate or acquired characteristic that, in some particular, determines the nature and behavior of a person or thing: the qualities of patience and perseverance. An attribute is a quality that we assign or ascribe to a person or to something personified; it may also mean a fundamental or innate characteristic: an attribute of God; attributes of a logical mind. property is applied only to a thing; it refers to a principal characteristic that is part of the constitution of a thing and serves to define or describe it: the physical properties of limestone.