Qual'i-ty, n.

(kwŏl'ĭ-tĭ), n. [Fr. qualité, Pr. qualitat, Sp. calidad, cualidad, It. qualità, Lat. qualitas, from qualis, how or so constituted, such.] 1. The condition of being of such and such a sort as distinguished from others; nature relatively considered; character; sort; rank. We obtained acquaintance with many citizens not of the meanest quality. Bacon. 2. Special or temporary character; 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, any thing such as it is; any thing belonging to a subject or predicable of it; distinguishing property, characteristic, or attribute; peculiar power, capacity, or virtue; distinctive trait. Foreign nations did ample justice to his great qualities. Macaulay. ☞ 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. 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. The quality, those of high rank or station, as distinguished from the mass, or vulgar. 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.