Qual'i-fy1, v. t.
[imp. & p. p. QUALIFIED; p. pr. & vb. n. QUALIFYING.] [Fr. qualifier, Sp. calificar, It. & L. Lat. qualificare, from Lat. qualis, how or so constituted, such, and facere, to make.]
Sense 1. To make such as is required; to give added or requisite qualities to; to fit, as for a place, office, occupation, or character; to furnish with the knowledge, skill, or other accomplishment necessary for a purpose; to make capable, as of an employment or privilege; to supply with legal power or capacity.
He had qualified himself for municipal office by taking the oaths to the sovereigns in possession. Macaulay.
Sense 2. To give individual quality to; to modulate; to vary.
It hath no larynx nor throttle to qualify the sound. Browne.
Sense 3. To reduce, by consideration or by the enumeration of qualities, from a general, undefined, or comprehensive, to a particular or restricted form; to modify; to limit; to restrict; to restrain; as, to qualify a statement, claim, or proposition.
Sense 4. Hence, to soften; to abate; to diminish; to assuage; to reduce the strength of, as liquors.
I do not seek to quench your love's hot fire, But qualify the fire's extreme rage. Shak.
Synonyms—To fit; equip; prepare; adapt; capacitate; modify; restrict; restrain.