qualifyv.

Brit.

/ˈkwɒlᵻfʌɪ/, U.S.

/ˈkwɑləˌfaɪ/,

/ˈkwɔləˌfaɪ/

Forms: late Middle English–1500s qualyfy, late Middle English– qualify, 1500s quallefye, 1500s quallyfie, 1500s–1600s qualifie, 1500s–1600s quallefie, 1500s–1600s quallifie, 1500s–1700s quallify, 1600s qualefy; Scottish pre-1700 qualefe, pre-1700 qualefey, pre-1700 qualefie, pre-1700 qualiefey, pre-1700 qualife, pre-1700 qualifie, pre-1700 quallife, pre-1700 qualyfe, pre-1700 qualyfie, pre-1700 qwallefiy, pre-1700 1700s– qualify, 1700s qwalify, 1900s– qualifee.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French qualifier; Latin qualificare.

Etymology: < Middle French qualifier to characterize (a person or thing) by attributing a quality or qualities (last quarter of the 15th cent. as califfier ), to attribute a title to (a person) (1585; for further senses which occur earliest and chiefly in the past participle, see qualified adj.) and its etymon post-classical Latin qualificare to invest with a (particular) quality (from 12th cent. in British sources; 15th cent. in a continental source), to modify (from 15th cent. in British sources) < classical Latin quālis of such a kind (see quality n.) + -ficāre -fy suffix. Compare Catalan qualificar (14th cent.), Spanish calificar (a1456), also cualificar (first half of the 16th cent.), Portuguese qualificar (15th cent. in past participle (plural) as caficadas), Italian qualificare (14th cent.), also German qualifizieren (1511).Earlier currency of a number of senses is implied by corresponding earlier attestations at qualified adj. The use in grammar in sense 1b is apparently not paralleled in French until much later (c1846); the senses at branch II. are not paralleled in French at all.

I. To invest with a quality or qualities.

1. To attribute a certain quality or qualities to.

a. transitive. To describe or designate in a particular way; to characterize as something; to name. Formerly with with.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > narration > description or act of describing > describe [verb (transitive)]

sayOE

devisec1300

readc1300

to make (a) showing ofc1330

counterfeitc1369

expressc1386

scrievec1390

descrya1400

scrya1400

drawa1413

representc1425

describec1450

report1460

qualify?1465

exhibit1534

perscribe1538

to set out1545

deline1566

delineate1566

decipher1567

denotate1599

lineate16..

denote1612

givea1616

inform?1615

to shape out1633

speaka1637

display1726

to hit off1737

the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > call or give as name to > designate or style as

sayOE

calla1250

deemc1400

nevenc1425

qualify?1465

designa1500

expound1530

style1570

intenda1599

dub1607

instyle1607

phrase1607

enstyle1616

speaka1625

cognominate1632

determine1653

clapa1657

designate1669

intimate1799

nominate1799

bedub1884

tab1924

?1465 J. Eastgate in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) III. 176 The codicill had neþer day nor place lymyte, qwere or qwan it xuld a ben mad, qwerefor to a reprovyd þat þat neþer was qualifyid with day nor place, it had be gret foly.

1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 4th Serm. sig. Kvi S. Paul in his epistle qualifieth a bishop, & saith y^t he muste teache.

1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xii. 37 I will favor thee as a Vassal, and not as a brother, as thou qualifiest thyself.

1684 J. P. von Valcaren Relation Siege Vienna 21 Two of the Eldest Colonels were qualified with a Title between a Major General and a Colonel.

1793 Times 23 Oct. 2/2 Fredigonde, and Medicis, who were formerly qualified with the titles of Queens of France.

1823 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto X lxxxi. 93 The ‘Devil's drawing-room’, As some have qualified that wondrous place.

1826 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 20 77 The propositions referred to the theologians have been qualified as heretical.

1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iv. 253 Madame Muhlhausen,—whom good taste forbids We qualify as do these documents.

1919 J. Reed Ten Days that shook World iii. 64 I qualify such acts of a Russian political party as acts of treason to Russia!

1946 Jrnl. Warburg & Courtauld Inst. 9 66 They answer the question as to the precise meaning of the term umanista..: it qualifies a person as a..teacher of classical literature.

2001 Jrnl. Biogeography 28 21 The biogeographical analysis of speciation..was areal; this adjective qualifies a practice relating groups..with..mutual distribution areas.

b. transitive. Grammar. Of a word or phrase: to attribute a quality to or affect the meaning of (another word); esp. (of an adjective) to attribute a quality to (a noun). Cf. modify v. 5.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > a part of speech > adjective > furnish with an adjective [verb (transitive)] > of adjective: express quality of (noun)

qualify1712

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > a part of speech > adverb > convert into an adverb [verb (transitive)] > of an adverb: modify

qualify1712

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > syntax or word order > syntactic relations > have syntactic relation with [verb (transitive)] > modify or qualify

modify1728

qualify1892

1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xvi. 152 Sometimes wordes suffered to go single, do giue greater sence and grace than words quallified by attributions do.]

1712 M. Maittaire Eng. Gram. 94 When I say a good man, the Adjective good qualifies the Noun substantive man.

1765 J. Elphinston Princ. Eng. Lang. Digested II. iii. iv.125 But adverb qualifies verb mediately or immediately.

1837 M. Green Eng. Gram. 14 [Adjectives] are added to nouns to define, qualify, describe, or limit the signification of the noun.

1892 H. Sweet New Eng. Gram. i. §34. 14 Very in a very strong man qualifies the attribute-word strong. Qualifiers themselves may be qualified, as in very many Englishmen.

1947 A. M. Clark Spoken Eng. (ed. 2) iv. 81 Frequently..noun-adjectives are joined to the nouns they qualify by hyphens:—bird-cage, book-review.

1972 M. L. Samuels Linguistic Evol. v. 68 Son is usually either modified by my/his/her, etc. or qualified by an of-group.

2000 K. Morgan Myth & Philos. 272 Of these [adjectives]..three qualify the word mythos and thirteen qualify the word logos.

†2.

a. transitive. To impart a certain quality to; to make (a thing) what it is. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > inhere in or be an attribute of [verb (transitive)] > attribute to as belonging or appropriate > invest or endow with attributes

qualifyc1487

clad1579

quality1579

invest1590

animate1605

innaturate1849

endow1888

c1487 J. Skelton tr. Diodorus Siculus Bibliotheca Historica i. 13 The see hou it was of moysture qualyfyed. The erthe hou it was cloddy.

1592 R. Greene Quip for Vpstart Courtier sig. B4^v Is not rather true Nobilitie a mind excellently qualified with rare vertues?

1609 Bible (Douay) I. Gen. Comm. Then shal the bodies be qualified according to the state of the soules, happie or miserable for ever.

a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) Sol. iii. 17 But thou hast tainted that immortall breath, Which qualifi'd thy life, and made thee free Of heav'n and earth.

a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) iv. vi. 344 The Divine Will, determined or qualified (if we may use that improper word) with the highest..Wisdom and Power.

b. intransitive. To bring it about that. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (intransitive)]

qualifya1670

a1670 J. Hacket Scrinia Reserata (1693) i. 60 It qualified also, that no detection could be made..that he bought this greatness.

3. transitive. Scots Law. To establish by evidence (a title, injury, etc.); to make good, substantiate (a claim).

ΚΠ

1546 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 37 Or tuiching the ground richt of the samyn as thai sall libell and qualify.

a1639 J. Spottiswood Hist. Church Scotl. (1677) vi. 333 Hay compeired, and nothing being qualified against him, was upon suspicion confined.

c1650 J. Spalding Memorialls Trubles Scotl. & Eng. (1850) I. 358 The vther half [of the forfeited goods] to be givin to him who dilates the recepteris, and qualefeis the samen.

1705 W. Forbes Treat. Church-lands & Tithes 210 No Title of possession needs to be qualified, or condescended on.

1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1776 II. 79 [Ld. Thurlow:] If any individual could qualify a wrong, and a damage arising from it.

1913 Act 3 & 4 George V c. 20 §47 Where injury can be qualified by the other creditors.

1946 A. D. Gibb Students' Gloss. Sc. Legal Terms 71 Qualify, to make out or establish, as in the expression, to qualify a title.

2003 S. Styles et al. Gloss. Sc. & European Union Legal Terms 134 Qualify... to establish by evidence; to authenticate.

a. transitive. To invest with qualities or accomplishments appropriate or essential for being something; (in passive) to have or be invested with such qualities. Occasionally reflexive.In later use merging with sense 4b.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > be capable of [verb (transitive)] > enable or capacitate > make or pronounce competent > for being something

qualify1581

1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvi. 133 Set to schoole, to qualifie themselues, to learne how to be religious.

1668 Tintinnalogia 2 Before I Treat of the method and diversity of Peals, I think it not impertinent to speak something of the Properties wherewith a Young Ringer ought to be qualified.

1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 6 A Typographer ought to be equally quallified with all the Sciences that becomes an Architect.

1711 W. Sutherland Ship-builders Assistant 22 Those Properties [of a building] consider'd and well understood, will qualify a Man for a compleat Architect.

?1782 W. Cowper Parrot 11 To qualify him more at large, And make him quite a wit.

1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. i. vii. 220 Montmorency..now took the command, for which his rash and impetuous temper but indifferently qualified him.

1869 Times 5 Oct. 10/4 The long-desired experience can be obtained to qualify a man as a sportsman.

1926 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 11 Nov. 4/1 Forty years' observation of prison conditions..does not necessarily qualify a man as an expert penologist.

1999 Compar. Stud. Society & Hist. 41 19 No fortune..could qualify a man as noble who lacked Paruta's je ne sais quoi.

b. transitive. To make fit or competent for doing (or to do) something, or for some purpose, function, office, profession, etc. Also reflexive.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > be able to [verb (intransitive)] > make oneself competent for something

qualify1665

the world > action or operation > ability > be capable of [verb (transitive)] > enable or capacitate > make or pronounce competent > for doing something

qualify1665

1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. vi. iv. sig. Nn5^v He whose parts are too mean to qualifie him to govern others.

1686 J. Scott Christian Life: Pt. II II. vii. 682 [Ministers] who by their..diligent search of Scripture, were..to qualifie themselves to teach.

1712 Spectator No. 524. ⁋5 To refresh and otherwise qualify themselves for their journey.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. vi. iii. 247 Moderation..can..qualify us to taste many Pleasures.

1753 M. W. Montagu Let. 28 Jan. in K. Payne Between Ourselves (1983) 78 Every woman endeavours to breed her daughter a fine lady, qualifying her for a station in which she will never appear.

1817 W. Scott Rob Roy I. xii. 288 Qualifying myself for my new calling.

1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxxviii. 378 I am qualifying myself to give lessons.

1860 Times 10 May 12/3 What..perseverance, and logical power were necessary to qualify a man for this profession [sc. medicine].

1873 P. G. Hamerton Intellect. Life (1875) iii. i. 77 Men are qualified for their work by knowledge.

1924 M. Baring C viii. 89 He would..learn some foreign language sufficiently well to qualify him for employment.

1972 S. Biko in H. van der Merwe & D. Welsh Student Perspectives on S. Afr. xi. 67 Opposition to apartheid was enough to qualify Whites for acceptance by the Black world.

2000 Chattanooga (Tennessee) Times Free Press (Nexis) 31 Oct. (Opinion section) b5 He..demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the facts to qualify himself for the presidency.

5. transitive. To give a recognized status to (a person); to provide with some power, capacity, or legal right; to officially recognize or establish as a practitioner of a profession, activity, etc.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal capacity > invest with legal status or capacity [verb (transitive)]

able1409

enable1491

capacitate1657

qualify1667

1667 S. Pepys Diary 29 May (1974) VIII. 241 He..is made one of the Duke's Chaplains; which qualifies him for two livings.

1715 H. Prideaux Articles Reform. Univ. liii, in Life H. Prideaux (1748) 235 Such only, as shall obtain a certificate of approbation from the two Examiners who examined them, shall be qualified for the said Degree.

1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 418 These game laws..qualify nobody, except..a game-keeper, to kill game.

1856 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire IV. xxxvii. 287 He qualified others, by making an addtion to their fortunes from his own bounty.

1889 Pall Mall Gaz. 27 June 5/1 A Royal Charter enabling it to ‘qualify’ nurses as doctors are ‘qualified’.

1943 Times 20 Mar. 5 A migrant worker is only removed from one register when he gains a place on another, for which two months' residence will qualify him.

1985 Trucking Internat. May 17/3 Next comes the A2, which qualifies the holder to take full responsibility for the tractor unit.

2006 Australian (Nexis) 11 Apr. 5 The basic course that qualifies doctors to be general surgeons.

6. Scottish and U.S. To give or attain a recognized status by oath. Now rare.

a. transitive. To give (a person) status or office by the administration of an oath; (in passive) to be sworn in to some status, position, or office.

ΚΠ

1723 Act of Pennsylvania Every brewer..shall be qualified by oath..that he will not use any molasses, etc.

1734 in J. Miller Lamp of Lothian (1900) 209 They had come in order to qualify him and the other members in order to the electing of a Convener.

1797 Deb. Congr. U.S. 9 June (1851) I. 281 [He] appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat.

1867 Congress. Globe App. 16 Feb. 165/3 He had come to file his bond and be qualified.

1916 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 19 Mar. 4 No one has contended that a President-elect is an actual President until he has been duly qualified, and..has taken the oath.

1935 Charleston (W. Va.) 6 Jan. 12/4 His period of service was to commence on the fourth of March, and if he had been qualified it would have been sufficient.

b. intransitive. To take or administer an oath; to swear to something.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath

takec1425

conceive1561

oatha1617

qualify1731

1731 in W. Cramond Ann. Banff (1891) I. 204 Town Councillors regularly qualify to His Majesty, King George, by taking the oaths of abjuration, allegiance, supremacy and assurance.

1825 in W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 1334 His lordship goes to church to qualify.

1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (at cited word) To swear to discharge the duties of an office; and hence to make oath of any fact; as, ‘I am ready to qualify to what I have asserted.’

1947 Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer 7 Jan. 6/2 It cannot..be argued that he refused to qualify... There was an effort made to take him a bond and oath, but he was critically ill and his timely death prevented his qualifying.

7. intransitive. To be or become eligible for a certain office, benefit, competition, etc., by fulfilling some necessary condition; to possess or acquire the qualities or accomplishments necessary or appropriate for a particular office or position; (now esp.) to obtain a professional qualification.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > getting or making money > get or make money [verb (intransitive)] > earn one's living > get pension

qualify1911

1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 312 All the ministers of state must qualify, and take this test.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 27 He could not legally continue to employ officers who refused to qualify.

1891 Law Rep.: Weekly Notes 20 June 118/1 It was his duty to qualify for the office of director by taking forty shares.

1907 Navigating Air (Aero Club Amer.) 247 In order to qualify as a pilot one must make ten ascensions, one of which must be made at night, and two of which must be made alone.

1911 Rep. Labour & Social Conditions in Germany (Tariff Reform League) III. 92 The man cannot draw his pension until he is 70 years of age, except through invalidity; he qualifies after one year's payment.

1920 Rep. Departm. Comm. Scholarships 2 in Parl. Papers (Cmd. 968) XV. 385 To qualify as a ‘free place’ pupil the child must have attended a Public Elementary School for a certain period previously.

1954 P. Frankau Wreath for Enemy ii. x. 103 Do you think that as I wasn't invited for lunch, I qualify for tea? I really have had the most cruel day.

1982 Times 18 Jan. 8/2 She qualified as a lawyer in France.

2006 Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram (Nexis) 26 June d10 Australia..qualified for the second round in the country's first World Cup Finals since 1974.

II. To modify or moderate in some respect.

a. transitive. To modify (a statement, opinion, etc.) by the addition of some limitation or reservation; to make less strong or positive. Occasionally intransitive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > modify, qualify [verb (transitive)]

qualify1533

temperatea1540

take1542

season1604

disbend1607

condition1629

tinge1673

temper1711

shade1817

colour1882

1533 T. More Apol. xxvii, in Wks. 893/2 He hathe circumspectly..qualyfyed and modered hys tale wyth thys woord (all).

1551 Princess Mary Let. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. II. 177 The promise made..by your Majesties counsell..although they seeme now to quallefye and deny the thing.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Oxf. 329 Whilest a Prince he was undutiful to his Father, or to qualifie the matter, over-dutiful to his Mother.

1706 F. Atterbury Serm. Funeral Mr Bennet in Serm. (1751) II. Pref. 50 My proposition I have qualified with the word, often; thereby making allowance [etc.].

1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 241 To observe whether..I might not find reasons to change or to qualify some of my first sentiments.

1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Alice III. xi. v. 296 The surgeon..began to apologise—to qualify.

1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. i. viii. 281 Elizabeth received the offer of Philip's hand, qualified as it was, in the most gracious manner.

1883 Contemp. Rev. 43 49 An avowal, which he qualifies by a subtle after-thought.

1937 J. Agate Diary 7 May in Ego 3 (1938) 113 The announcers were very careful to qualify..every statement, and to say that this was the nearest that could be guessed.

1955 G. Gorer Exploring Eng. Char. xiii. 216 Thirteen per cent of the population qualify their judgments with some criticism or hostility.

2004 Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minnesota) 28 Oct. (Business section) c1 Economists always qualify their assertions..with the ‘all other things being equal’ caveat.

b. Accounting. transitive. To enter a qualification in (an audit) or regarding (a company's or institution's accounts); see qualification n. 1b.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > management of money > keeping accounts > keep accounts [verb (transitive)] > enter in an account > other book-keeping procedures

control1422

avouch1539

allocate1551

respond1588

score1592

carry1652

post1707

to carry forward1721

off-reckon1721

O. Ni.a1726

to carry over1745

rule1845

to write down1876

to close off188.

qualify1884

accrue1915

net1947

gross1954

strip1980

1884 Times 23 Dec. 9/5 Everything in the auditors' report was qualified in such a way as to make it useless for the shareholders.

1924 E. L. Kohler & P. W. Pettengill Princ. Auditing (1925) xiv. 162 The importance of when and how to qualify a certificate is something that only years of experience can teach the auditor.

1975 Economist 8 Nov. 116/2 Its 1974–75 accounts were heavily qualified by its auditors.

2005 Australian (Nexis) 17 Nov. 7 This ridiculous situation where the court of auditors qualifies the EU accounts every year.

a. transitive. To moderate or mitigate so as to reduce to a more satisfactory or normal condition, esp. to render less violent, severe, or unpleasant; to reduce the force or effect of (something disagreeable), to temper. Now rare.Very common in the 16th and 17th centuries, taking a wide range of objects.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)]

temperc1000

keelc1175

slakea1300

abate?c1335

settle1338

swagea1340

modifyc1385

rebatea1398

bate1398

moder1414

releasea1425

remiss?a1425

moderate1435

alethe?1440

delaya1450

appal1470

addulce1477

mollify1496

mean?a1513

relent1535

qualify1536

temperatea1540

aplake1578

slack1589

relaxate1598

milden1603

mitigate1611

relax1612

alleniate1615

allay1628

alloy1634

castigate1653

smoothen1655

tendera1656

mitify1656

meeken1662

remitigate1671

obviscate1684

slacken1685

chastise1704

dulcify1744

absorb1791

demulceate1817

chasten1856

modulate1974

mediate1987

the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] > tone down

temperc1000

modifyc1385

softenc1410

tame?a1500

qualify1536

temperatea1540

extenuate1561

supple1609

dilute1665

palliate1665

weaken1683

subdue1723

lower1780

modulate1783

to shade away1817

to water down1832

to water down1836

sober1838

veil1843

to tone down1847

to break down1859

soothe1860

tone1884

to key down1891

soft-pedal1912

1536 T. Starkey Pref. Kynges Hyghnes f. 40^v Worldly policie qualifyed with charitie, is therby conuerted into christen ciuilitie.

1543–4 Act 35 Hen. VIII c. 5 The greate peril and dangier of the kynges maiesties subiectes, if the same statute shulde not..be tempered qualified or refourmed.

1547 A. Borde Breuiary of Helthe i. f. lxxii Qualyfy the heat of the lyuer..with the confection of acetose.

1578 T. Nicholas tr. F. Lopez de Gómara Pleasant Hist. Conquest W. India 229 Our men stoode in great perill..if this war and mutenie had not soone bene qualified.

1608 A. Willet Hexapla in Exodum 688 The incense was..burned..to qualifie the smell..from the sacrifices of flesh.

1648 G. Markham Country Housew. Garden (1668) iii. viii. 68 Camomile..is sweet smelling, qualifying head-ach.

1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. Concl. 188 Something..that will abate and qualifie the rigour of this Conception.

1702 W. J. tr. C. de Bruyn Voy. Levant xi. 51 This Civility of the Turks does in some measure qualify the Hardship of those who are confin'd Prisoners.

1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 147 Though they still are held at the will of the lord,..yet that will is qualified, restrained, and limited.

1827 W. Scott Highland Widow in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. I. xii. 234 A voice in which the authority of the mother was qualified by her tenderness.

1839 P. J. Bailey Festus 72 Qualifying every line which vice Writes on the brow.

1856 R. A. Vaughan Hours with Mystics I. v. i. 150 His sincere piety, his large heart,..always qualify, and seem sometimes to redeem, his errors.

1908 Nebraska State Jrnl. (Lincoln) 17 Aug. 19/6 An encircling veranda to qualify the heat.

†b. transitive. To make proportionate to; to reduce to. Also figurative. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > discount > deduct as discount [verb (transitive)]

allow1396

rebate1425

defalk1460

moderate1541

qualify1548

disaccount1640

off-reckon1721

to sconce offa1777

to throw off1821

the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)] > make proportionate (to)

proportiona1398

qualify1548

modulatec1570

proportionate1570

measure1590

cantle1603

apportion1615

equal1618

commensurate1660

scantle1711

1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke i. f. xxii^v The highest shall ouershadow thee..tempering and qualifying [L. attemperans] his infinite power and vertue to the measure and capacitie of mannes nature.

1604 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1889) IV. 272 20 li. fyne was ymposed..which fyne was afterwardes..qualefied to iiij li.

1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 43 How to qualifie, and mould the sufferance and subjection of the people to the length of that foot that is to tread on their necks.

†c. transitive. To make less wrong or reprehensible, to justify. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > excuse > excuse (a person or fault) [verb (transitive)] > extenuate

whiteOE

gloze1390

colourc1400

emplasterc1405

littlec1450

polish?c1450

daub1543

plaster1546

blanch1548

flatter1552

extenuate1570

alleviate1577

soothe1587

mincea1591

soothe1592

palliate1604

sweeten1635

rarefy1637

mitigate1651

glossa1656

whitewash1703

qualify1749

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xiii. xii. 106 Her Mind..was too delicate to bear the Thought of having been guilty of a Falsehood, however qualified by Circumstances.

1791 T. Paine Common Sense (new ed.) 87 The invasion of our country..conscientiously qualifies the use of arms.

†10. transitive. To appease (a person); to pacify, make mild. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > bringing about concord or peace > bring to peace (strife or discord) [verb (transitive)] > appease or propitiate

soft?c1225

queema1325

appeasec1374

pleasea1382

softena1382

mollifya1450

pacifya1500

apeace1523

temper1525

mitigatea1535

qualify?c1550

thaw1582

propitiate1583

aslake1590

smooth1608

to lay down1629

addulce1655

sweeten1657

acquiesce1659

gentle1663

palliate1678

placate1678

conciliate1782

to pour oil on the waters (also on troubled waters)1847

square1859

square1945

?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Three Bks. Eng. Hist. (1844) xxv. 210 Withowt muche adoe they began to mollyfy hir..Whan the quene was thus qualyfyed [L. placata] [etc.].

1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 628 Sertorius..did qualifie him the best he could, and made him more milde and tractable.

1617 T. Middleton & W. Rowley Faire Quarrell iv. sig. G2 When you haue left him in a chafe, then Ile qualifie the Rascall.

1679 Trials Green, Berry, & Hill for Murder of Sir E. Godfrey 16 You being a Justice of the Peace may qualifie them [sc. two men fighting].

11.

†a. transitive. To affect adversely; to injure, impair. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [verb (transitive)] > to person or thing

werdec725

wemc900

forworkOE

evilc1000

teenOE

grievec1230

misdoc1230

mischievec1325

shond1338

endamagec1374

unrighta1393

damagea1400

disvail14..

disavail1429

mischief1437

outrayc1440

prejudice1447

abuse?1473

injuryc1484

danger1488

prejudicate1553

damnify?a1562

wrack1562

inviolate1569

mislestc1573

indemnify1583

qualify1584

interess1587

buse1589

violence1592

injure1597

bane1601

envya1625

prejudiciala1637

founder1655

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to > affect detrimentally

atterc885

hurtc1200

marc1225

appair1297

impair1297

spilla1300

emblemishc1384

endull1395

blemishc1430

depaira1460

depravea1533

deform1533

envenom1533

vitiate1534

quail1551

impeach1563

subvert1565

craze1573

taint1573

spoil1578

endamage1579

qualify1584

stain1584

crack1590

ravish1594

interess1598

invitiate1598

corrupt1602

venom1621

depauperate1623

detriment1623

flaw1623

embase1625

ungold1637

murder1644

refract1646

depress1647

addle1652

sweal1655

butcher1659

shade1813

mess1823

puckeroo1840

untone1861

blue1880

queer1884

dick1972

forgar-

the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > worse > [verb (transitive)] > other

submitc1425

qualify1584

degrade1844

1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft iii. xv. 64 Foure old witches, who with their charms so qualified the Danes, as they were thereby disabled.

1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 52 The standers by heartily wish their Hands qualified with some Chiragracall prohibition.

b. transitive. To diminish, reduce, modify (something good); to make less perfect or complete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)]

littleeOE

anitherOE

wanzelOE

lessc1225

slakea1300

littenc1300

aslakec1314

adminisha1325

allayc1330

settle1338

low1340

minisha1382

reprovea1382

abatea1398

rebatea1398

subtlea1398

alaskia1400

forlyten?a1400

imminish14..

lessenc1410

diminish1417

repress?a1425

assuagec1430

scarcec1440

small1440

underslakec1440

alessa1450

debate?c1450

batec1460

decreasec1470

appetisse1474

alow1494

mince1499

perswage?1504

remita1513

inless?1521

attenuate1530

weaken1530

defray1532

mitigate1532

minorate1534

narrow?1548

diminuec1550

extenuate1555

amain1578

exolve1578

base1581

dejecta1586

amoinder1588

faint1598

qualify1604

contract1605

to pull down1607

shrivel1609

to take down1610

disaugment1611

impoverish1611

shrink1628

decoct1629

persway1631

unflame1635

straiten1645

depress1647

reduce1649

detract1654

minuate1657

alloy1661

lower?1662

sinka1684

retreat1690

nip1785

to drive down1840

minify1866

to knock down1867

to damp down1869

scale1887

mute1891

clip1938

to roll back1942

to cut back1943

downscale1945

downrate1958

slim1963

downshift1972

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. vii. 96 Loue is begunne by time, And..Time qualifies the sparke and fire of it.

1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre ii. xvii. 66 To qualifie the Christians joy for this good successe, Joceline..was conquered and taken prisoner.

1780 Parl. Reg. 1775–80 XV. 13 What would have been then accepted as a favour..was now demanded as a right, not to be given up, modified, or qualified.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxvii. 209 Thoughts which tended to qualify the pleasure.

1870 C. Dickens Edwin Drood viii. 49 We had better not qualify our good understanding.

1943 G. Greene Ministry of Fear iii. ii. 196 Happiness should always be qualified by a knowledge of misery.

1999 J. Wood Broken Estate 308 The existence of this pain is an obstacle to belief because it seems either to limit God's power or to qualify his goodness.

12. transitive. To modify the strength, flavour, etc., of (a liquid). Frequently with with. Also figurative. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > drink > preparation of drinks > [verb (transitive)] > alter strength or flavour

qualify1591

1591 ‘A. Foulweather’ Wonderfull Astrol. Prognostication sig. B2^v A Cuppe of Sack,..so qualified with Suger, that they proue not rewmatick.

1633 T. Adams Comm. 2 Peter (ii. 13) 862 Poison may be qualified, and become medicinall.

1671 tr. R. Fréjus Relation Voy. Mauritania 43 Having tasted the water,..we mixed it with a little Aqua vitæ, which we had brought with us instead of Wine, to qualifie it.

1697 J. Addison Ess. Georgics in J. Dryden tr. Virgil Wks. sig. ¶3^v Greek..rightly mixt and qualified with the Doric Dialect.

1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. lvi. 222 The Squire..called for his tea, which he drank..qualified with brandy.

1789 G. Parker Life's Painter iv. 31 Genuine Hollands, or right Jamaica, qualified with rice-water..and a proper dash of fragrant oranges.

1821 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto IV liii. 97 Tea and coffee leave us much more serious, Unless when qualified with thee, Cogniac!

1867 T. Dunn Ambrose Fecit 80 The tea was liberally qualified with sugar and milk.

1936 ‘M. Brand’ in Detective Fiction Weekly 24 Oct. 64/2 Why good whiskey should be qualified with water or siphon he never had been able to understand.

†13. transitive. To bring into, or keep in, a normal or proper condition; to control, regulate, modulate. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > regulate

dightc1230

ordainc1300

raila1350

regulate?a1425

arrayc1440

ordinance1440

order1509

direct?1510

regolate1585

reigle1591

ordinate1595

qualify1597

steer1616

govern1806

police1885

1597 W. Langham Garden of Health 624 The decoction of the rootes..doeth qualifie the Liuer.

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. ii. 117 Is your bloud So madly hott, that no discourse of reason..Can qualifie the same?

1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 48 This election was qualified under a stipulation or covenant.

1688 S. Penton Guardian's Instr. 15 The practice of these Rules will help qualifie a Life of Action such as yours must be.

†14. intransitive. to qualify on: to submit quietly to; to qualify with: to come to terms with. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [verb (intransitive)] > by accepting terms

compound1576

to qualify on1753

transact1888

the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > absence of resistance > accept without resistance [verb (transitive)] > give in or submit to action, treatment, or events

undergoc1175

give place1382

receivec1384

obeyc1390

to go under ——a1400

servec1400

underliec1400

submitc1425

subscribe1560

resign1593

stoop1611

to let loose1667

to qualify on1753

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. xxxiii. 230 What a slave had I been in spirit, could I have qualified on such villainous treatment.

1805 H. Lee Canterbury Tales V. 494 He..qualifies with any passion which it is vicious to indulge.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	qualify
释义	qualifyv. Brit. /ˈkwɒlᵻfʌɪ/, U.S. /ˈkwɑləˌfaɪ/, /ˈkwɔləˌfaɪ/ Forms: late Middle English–1500s qualyfy, late Middle English– qualify, 1500s quallefye, 1500s quallyfie, 1500s–1600s qualifie, 1500s–1600s quallefie, 1500s–1600s quallifie, 1500s–1700s quallify, 1600s qualefy; Scottish pre-1700 qualefe, pre-1700 qualefey, pre-1700 qualefie, pre-1700 qualiefey, pre-1700 qualife, pre-1700 qualifie, pre-1700 quallife, pre-1700 qualyfe, pre-1700 qualyfie, pre-1700 qwallefiy, pre-1700 1700s– qualify, 1700s qwalify, 1900s– qualifee. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French qualifier; Latin qualificare. Etymology: < Middle French qualifier to characterize (a person or thing) by attributing a quality or qualities (last quarter of the 15th cent. as califfier ), to attribute a title to (a person) (1585; for further senses which occur earliest and chiefly in the past participle, see qualified adj.) and its etymon post-classical Latin qualificare to invest with a (particular) quality (from 12th cent. in British sources; 15th cent. in a continental source), to modify (from 15th cent. in British sources) < classical Latin quālis of such a kind (see quality n.) + -ficāre -fy suffix. Compare Catalan qualificar (14th cent.), Spanish calificar (a1456), also cualificar (first half of the 16th cent.), Portuguese qualificar (15th cent. in past participle (plural) as caficadas), Italian qualificare (14th cent.), also German qualifizieren (1511).Earlier currency of a number of senses is implied by corresponding earlier attestations at qualified adj. The use in grammar in sense 1b is apparently not paralleled in French until much later (c1846); the senses at branch II. are not paralleled in French at all. I. To invest with a quality or qualities. 1. To attribute a certain quality or qualities to. a. transitive. To describe or designate in a particular way; to characterize as something; to name. Formerly with with. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > narration > description or act of describing > describe [verb (transitive)] sayOE devisec1300 readc1300 to make (a) showing ofc1330 counterfeitc1369 expressc1386 scrievec1390 descrya1400 scrya1400 drawa1413 representc1425 describec1450 report1460 qualify?1465 exhibit1534 perscribe1538 to set out1545 deline1566 delineate1566 decipher1567 denotate1599 lineate16.. denote1612 givea1616 inform?1615 to shape out1633 speaka1637 display1726 to hit off1737 the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > call or give as name to > designate or style as sayOE calla1250 deemc1400 nevenc1425 qualify?1465 designa1500 expound1530 style1570 read1590 intenda1599 dub1607 instyle1607 phrase1607 enstyle1616 speaka1625 cognominate1632 determine1653 clapa1657 designate1669 intimate1799 nominate1799 bedub1884 tab1924 ?1465 J. Eastgate in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) III. 176 The codicill had neþer day nor place lymyte, qwere or qwan it xuld a ben mad, qwerefor to a reprovyd þat þat neþer was qualifyid with day nor place, it had be gret foly. 1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 4th Serm. sig. Kvi S. Paul in his epistle qualifieth a bishop, & saith y^t he muste teache. 1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xii. 37 I will favor thee as a Vassal, and not as a brother, as thou qualifiest thyself. 1684 J. P. von Valcaren Relation Siege Vienna 21 Two of the Eldest Colonels were qualified with a Title between a Major General and a Colonel. 1793 Times 23 Oct. 2/2 Fredigonde, and Medicis, who were formerly qualified with the titles of Queens of France. 1823 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto X lxxxi. 93 The ‘Devil's drawing-room’, As some have qualified that wondrous place. 1826 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 20 77 The propositions referred to the theologians have been qualified as heretical. 1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iv. 253 Madame Muhlhausen,—whom good taste forbids We qualify as do these documents. 1919 J. Reed Ten Days that shook World iii. 64 I qualify such acts of a Russian political party as acts of treason to Russia! 1946 Jrnl. Warburg & Courtauld Inst. 9 66 They answer the question as to the precise meaning of the term umanista..: it qualifies a person as a..teacher of classical literature. 2001 Jrnl. Biogeography 28 21 The biogeographical analysis of speciation..was areal; this adjective qualifies a practice relating groups..with..mutual distribution areas. b. transitive. Grammar. Of a word or phrase: to attribute a quality to or affect the meaning of (another word); esp. (of an adjective) to attribute a quality to (a noun). Cf. modify v. 5. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > a part of speech > adjective > furnish with an adjective [verb (transitive)] > of adjective: express quality of (noun) qualify1712 the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > a part of speech > adverb > convert into an adverb [verb (transitive)] > of an adverb: modify qualify1712 the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > syntax or word order > syntactic relations > have syntactic relation with [verb (transitive)] > modify or qualify modify1728 qualify1892 1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xvi. 152 Sometimes wordes suffered to go single, do giue greater sence and grace than words quallified by attributions do.] 1712 M. Maittaire Eng. Gram. 94 When I say a good man, the Adjective good qualifies the Noun substantive man. 1765 J. Elphinston Princ. Eng. Lang. Digested II. iii. iv.125 But adverb qualifies verb mediately or immediately. 1837 M. Green Eng. Gram. 14 [Adjectives] are added to nouns to define, qualify, describe, or limit the signification of the noun. 1892 H. Sweet New Eng. Gram. i. §34. 14 Very in a very strong man qualifies the attribute-word strong. Qualifiers themselves may be qualified, as in very many Englishmen. 1947 A. M. Clark Spoken Eng. (ed. 2) iv. 81 Frequently..noun-adjectives are joined to the nouns they qualify by hyphens:—bird-cage, book-review. 1972 M. L. Samuels Linguistic Evol. v. 68 Son is usually either modified by my/his/her, etc. or qualified by an of-group. 2000 K. Morgan Myth & Philos. 272 Of these [adjectives]..three qualify the word mythos and thirteen qualify the word logos. †2. a. transitive. To impart a certain quality to; to make (a thing) what it is. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > inhere in or be an attribute of [verb (transitive)] > attribute to as belonging or appropriate > invest or endow with attributes qualifyc1487 clad1579 quality1579 invest1590 animate1605 innaturate1849 endow1888 c1487 J. Skelton tr. Diodorus Siculus Bibliotheca Historica i. 13 The see hou it was of moysture qualyfyed. The erthe hou it was cloddy. 1592 R. Greene Quip for Vpstart Courtier sig. B4^v Is not rather true Nobilitie a mind excellently qualified with rare vertues? 1609 Bible (Douay) I. Gen. Comm. Then shal the bodies be qualified according to the state of the soules, happie or miserable for ever. a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) Sol. iii. 17 But thou hast tainted that immortall breath, Which qualifi'd thy life, and made thee free Of heav'n and earth. a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) iv. vi. 344 The Divine Will, determined or qualified (if we may use that improper word) with the highest..Wisdom and Power. b. intransitive. To bring it about that. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (intransitive)] qualifya1670 a1670 J. Hacket Scrinia Reserata (1693) i. 60 It qualified also, that no detection could be made..that he bought this greatness. 3. transitive. Scots Law. To establish by evidence (a title, injury, etc.); to make good, substantiate (a claim). ΚΠ 1546 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 37 Or tuiching the ground richt of the samyn as thai sall libell and qualify. a1639 J. Spottiswood Hist. Church Scotl. (1677) vi. 333 Hay compeired, and nothing being qualified against him, was upon suspicion confined. c1650 J. Spalding Memorialls Trubles Scotl. & Eng. (1850) I. 358 The vther half [of the forfeited goods] to be givin to him who dilates the recepteris, and qualefeis the samen. 1705 W. Forbes Treat. Church-lands & Tithes 210 No Title of possession needs to be qualified, or condescended on. 1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1776 II. 79 [Ld. Thurlow:] If any individual could qualify a wrong, and a damage arising from it. 1913 Act 3 & 4 George V c. 20 §47 Where injury can be qualified by the other creditors. 1946 A. D. Gibb Students' Gloss. Sc. Legal Terms 71 Qualify, to make out or establish, as in the expression, to qualify a title. 2003 S. Styles et al. Gloss. Sc. & European Union Legal Terms 134 Qualify... to establish by evidence; to authenticate. 4. a. transitive. To invest with qualities or accomplishments appropriate or essential for being something; (in passive) to have or be invested with such qualities. Occasionally reflexive.In later use merging with sense 4b. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > be capable of [verb (transitive)] > enable or capacitate > make or pronounce competent > for being something qualify1581 1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvi. 133 Set to schoole, to qualifie themselues, to learne how to be religious. 1668 Tintinnalogia 2 Before I Treat of the method and diversity of Peals, I think it not impertinent to speak something of the Properties wherewith a Young Ringer ought to be qualified. 1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 6 A Typographer ought to be equally quallified with all the Sciences that becomes an Architect. 1711 W. Sutherland Ship-builders Assistant 22 Those Properties [of a building] consider'd and well understood, will qualify a Man for a compleat Architect. ?1782 W. Cowper Parrot 11 To qualify him more at large, And make him quite a wit. 1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. i. vii. 220 Montmorency..now took the command, for which his rash and impetuous temper but indifferently qualified him. 1869 Times 5 Oct. 10/4 The long-desired experience can be obtained to qualify a man as a sportsman. 1926 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 11 Nov. 4/1 Forty years' observation of prison conditions..does not necessarily qualify a man as an expert penologist. 1999 Compar. Stud. Society & Hist. 41 19 No fortune..could qualify a man as noble who lacked Paruta's je ne sais quoi. b. transitive. To make fit or competent for doing (or to do) something, or for some purpose, function, office, profession, etc. Also reflexive. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > be able to [verb (intransitive)] > make oneself competent for something qualify1665 the world > action or operation > ability > be capable of [verb (transitive)] > enable or capacitate > make or pronounce competent > for doing something qualify1665 1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. vi. iv. sig. Nn5^v He whose parts are too mean to qualifie him to govern others. 1686 J. Scott Christian Life: Pt. II II. vii. 682 [Ministers] who by their..diligent search of Scripture, were..to qualifie themselves to teach. 1712 Spectator No. 524. ⁋5 To refresh and otherwise qualify themselves for their journey. 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. vi. iii. 247 Moderation..can..qualify us to taste many Pleasures. View more context for this quotation 1753 M. W. Montagu Let. 28 Jan. in K. Payne Between Ourselves (1983) 78 Every woman endeavours to breed her daughter a fine lady, qualifying her for a station in which she will never appear. 1817 W. Scott Rob Roy I. xii. 288 Qualifying myself for my new calling. 1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxxviii. 378 I am qualifying myself to give lessons. 1860 Times 10 May 12/3 What..perseverance, and logical power were necessary to qualify a man for this profession [sc. medicine]. 1873 P. G. Hamerton Intellect. Life (1875) iii. i. 77 Men are qualified for their work by knowledge. 1924 M. Baring C viii. 89 He would..learn some foreign language sufficiently well to qualify him for employment. 1972 S. Biko in H. van der Merwe & D. Welsh Student Perspectives on S. Afr. xi. 67 Opposition to apartheid was enough to qualify Whites for acceptance by the Black world. 2000 Chattanooga (Tennessee) Times Free Press (Nexis) 31 Oct. (Opinion section) b5 He..demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the facts to qualify himself for the presidency. 5. transitive. To give a recognized status to (a person); to provide with some power, capacity, or legal right; to officially recognize or establish as a practitioner of a profession, activity, etc. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal capacity > invest with legal status or capacity [verb (transitive)] able1409 enable1491 capacitate1657 qualify1667 1667 S. Pepys Diary 29 May (1974) VIII. 241 He..is made one of the Duke's Chaplains; which qualifies him for two livings. 1715 H. Prideaux Articles Reform. Univ. liii, in Life H. Prideaux (1748) 235 Such only, as shall obtain a certificate of approbation from the two Examiners who examined them, shall be qualified for the said Degree. 1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 418 These game laws..qualify nobody, except..a game-keeper, to kill game. 1856 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire IV. xxxvii. 287 He qualified others, by making an addtion to their fortunes from his own bounty. 1889 Pall Mall Gaz. 27 June 5/1 A Royal Charter enabling it to ‘qualify’ nurses as doctors are ‘qualified’. 1943 Times 20 Mar. 5 A migrant worker is only removed from one register when he gains a place on another, for which two months' residence will qualify him. 1985 Trucking Internat. May 17/3 Next comes the A2, which qualifies the holder to take full responsibility for the tractor unit. 2006 Australian (Nexis) 11 Apr. 5 The basic course that qualifies doctors to be general surgeons. 6. Scottish and U.S. To give or attain a recognized status by oath. Now rare. a. transitive. To give (a person) status or office by the administration of an oath; (in passive) to be sworn in to some status, position, or office. ΚΠ 1723 Act of Pennsylvania Every brewer..shall be qualified by oath..that he will not use any molasses, etc. 1734 in J. Miller Lamp of Lothian (1900) 209 They had come in order to qualify him and the other members in order to the electing of a Convener. 1797 Deb. Congr. U.S. 9 June (1851) I. 281 [He] appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat. 1867 Congress. Globe App. 16 Feb. 165/3 He had come to file his bond and be qualified. 1916 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 19 Mar. 4 No one has contended that a President-elect is an actual President until he has been duly qualified, and..has taken the oath. 1935 Charleston (W. Va.) 6 Jan. 12/4 His period of service was to commence on the fourth of March, and if he had been qualified it would have been sufficient. b. intransitive. To take or administer an oath; to swear to something. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath takec1425 conceive1561 oatha1617 qualify1731 1731 in W. Cramond Ann. Banff (1891) I. 204 Town Councillors regularly qualify to His Majesty, King George, by taking the oaths of abjuration, allegiance, supremacy and assurance. 1825 in W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 1334 His lordship goes to church to qualify. 1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (at cited word) To swear to discharge the duties of an office; and hence to make oath of any fact; as, ‘I am ready to qualify to what I have asserted.’ 1947 Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer 7 Jan. 6/2 It cannot..be argued that he refused to qualify... There was an effort made to take him a bond and oath, but he was critically ill and his timely death prevented his qualifying. 7. intransitive. To be or become eligible for a certain office, benefit, competition, etc., by fulfilling some necessary condition; to possess or acquire the qualities or accomplishments necessary or appropriate for a particular office or position; (now esp.) to obtain a professional qualification. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > getting or making money > get or make money [verb (intransitive)] > earn one's living > get pension qualify1911 1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 312 All the ministers of state must qualify, and take this test. View more context for this quotation 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 27 He could not legally continue to employ officers who refused to qualify. 1891 Law Rep.: Weekly Notes 20 June 118/1 It was his duty to qualify for the office of director by taking forty shares. 1907 Navigating Air (Aero Club Amer.) 247 In order to qualify as a pilot one must make ten ascensions, one of which must be made at night, and two of which must be made alone. 1911 Rep. Labour & Social Conditions in Germany (Tariff Reform League) III. 92 The man cannot draw his pension until he is 70 years of age, except through invalidity; he qualifies after one year's payment. 1920 Rep. Departm. Comm. Scholarships 2 in Parl. Papers (Cmd. 968) XV. 385 To qualify as a ‘free place’ pupil the child must have attended a Public Elementary School for a certain period previously. 1954 P. Frankau Wreath for Enemy ii. x. 103 Do you think that as I wasn't invited for lunch, I qualify for tea? I really have had the most cruel day. 1982 Times 18 Jan. 8/2 She qualified as a lawyer in France. 2006 Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram (Nexis) 26 June d10 Australia..qualified for the second round in the country's first World Cup Finals since 1974. II. To modify or moderate in some respect. 8. a. transitive. To modify (a statement, opinion, etc.) by the addition of some limitation or reservation; to make less strong or positive. Occasionally intransitive. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > modify, qualify [verb (transitive)] qualify1533 temperatea1540 take1542 season1604 disbend1607 condition1629 tinge1673 temper1711 shade1817 colour1882 1533 T. More Apol. xxvii, in Wks. 893/2 He hathe circumspectly..qualyfyed and modered hys tale wyth thys woord (all). 1551 Princess Mary Let. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. II. 177 The promise made..by your Majesties counsell..although they seeme now to quallefye and deny the thing. a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Oxf. 329 Whilest a Prince he was undutiful to his Father, or to qualifie the matter, over-dutiful to his Mother. 1706 F. Atterbury Serm. Funeral Mr Bennet in Serm. (1751) II. Pref. 50 My proposition I have qualified with the word, often; thereby making allowance [etc.]. 1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 241 To observe whether..I might not find reasons to change or to qualify some of my first sentiments. View more context for this quotation 1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Alice III. xi. v. 296 The surgeon..began to apologise—to qualify. 1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. i. viii. 281 Elizabeth received the offer of Philip's hand, qualified as it was, in the most gracious manner. 1883 Contemp. Rev. 43 49 An avowal, which he qualifies by a subtle after-thought. 1937 J. Agate Diary 7 May in Ego 3 (1938) 113 The announcers were very careful to qualify..every statement, and to say that this was the nearest that could be guessed. 1955 G. Gorer Exploring Eng. Char. xiii. 216 Thirteen per cent of the population qualify their judgments with some criticism or hostility. 2004 Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minnesota) 28 Oct. (Business section) c1 Economists always qualify their assertions..with the ‘all other things being equal’ caveat. b. Accounting. transitive. To enter a qualification in (an audit) or regarding (a company's or institution's accounts); see qualification n. 1b. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > management of money > keeping accounts > keep accounts [verb (transitive)] > enter in an account > other book-keeping procedures control1422 avouch1539 allocate1551 respond1588 score1592 carry1652 post1707 to carry forward1721 off-reckon1721 O. Ni.a1726 to carry over1745 rule1845 to write down1876 to close off188. qualify1884 accrue1915 net1947 gross1954 strip1980 1884 Times 23 Dec. 9/5 Everything in the auditors' report was qualified in such a way as to make it useless for the shareholders. 1924 E. L. Kohler & P. W. Pettengill Princ. Auditing (1925) xiv. 162 The importance of when and how to qualify a certificate is something that only years of experience can teach the auditor. 1975 Economist 8 Nov. 116/2 Its 1974–75 accounts were heavily qualified by its auditors. 2005 Australian (Nexis) 17 Nov. 7 This ridiculous situation where the court of auditors qualifies the EU accounts every year. 9. a. transitive. To moderate or mitigate so as to reduce to a more satisfactory or normal condition, esp. to render less violent, severe, or unpleasant; to reduce the force or effect of (something disagreeable), to temper. Now rare.Very common in the 16th and 17th centuries, taking a wide range of objects. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] temperc1000 keelc1175 slakea1300 abate?c1335 settle1338 swagea1340 modifyc1385 rebatea1398 bate1398 moder1414 releasea1425 remiss?a1425 moderate1435 alethe?1440 delaya1450 appal1470 addulce1477 mollify1496 mean?a1513 relent1535 qualify1536 temperatea1540 aplake1578 slack1589 relaxate1598 milden1603 mitigate1611 relax1612 alleniate1615 allay1628 alloy1634 castigate1653 smoothen1655 tendera1656 mitify1656 meeken1662 remitigate1671 obviscate1684 slacken1685 chastise1704 dulcify1744 absorb1791 demulceate1817 chasten1856 modulate1974 mediate1987 the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] > tone down temperc1000 modifyc1385 softenc1410 tame?a1500 qualify1536 temperatea1540 extenuate1561 supple1609 dilute1665 palliate1665 weaken1683 subdue1723 lower1780 modulate1783 to shade away1817 to water down1832 to water down1836 sober1838 veil1843 to tone down1847 to break down1859 soothe1860 tone1884 to key down1891 soft-pedal1912 1536 T. Starkey Pref. Kynges Hyghnes f. 40^v Worldly policie qualifyed with charitie, is therby conuerted into christen ciuilitie. 1543–4 Act 35 Hen. VIII c. 5 The greate peril and dangier of the kynges maiesties subiectes, if the same statute shulde not..be tempered qualified or refourmed. 1547 A. Borde Breuiary of Helthe i. f. lxxii Qualyfy the heat of the lyuer..with the confection of acetose. 1578 T. Nicholas tr. F. Lopez de Gómara Pleasant Hist. Conquest W. India 229 Our men stoode in great perill..if this war and mutenie had not soone bene qualified. 1608 A. Willet Hexapla in Exodum 688 The incense was..burned..to qualifie the smell..from the sacrifices of flesh. 1648 G. Markham Country Housew. Garden (1668) iii. viii. 68 Camomile..is sweet smelling, qualifying head-ach. 1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. Concl. 188 Something..that will abate and qualifie the rigour of this Conception. 1702 W. J. tr. C. de Bruyn Voy. Levant xi. 51 This Civility of the Turks does in some measure qualify the Hardship of those who are confin'd Prisoners. 1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 147 Though they still are held at the will of the lord,..yet that will is qualified, restrained, and limited. 1827 W. Scott Highland Widow in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. I. xii. 234 A voice in which the authority of the mother was qualified by her tenderness. 1839 P. J. Bailey Festus 72 Qualifying every line which vice Writes on the brow. 1856 R. A. Vaughan Hours with Mystics I. v. i. 150 His sincere piety, his large heart,..always qualify, and seem sometimes to redeem, his errors. 1908 Nebraska State Jrnl. (Lincoln) 17 Aug. 19/6 An encircling veranda to qualify the heat. †b. transitive. To make proportionate to; to reduce to. Also figurative. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > discount > deduct as discount [verb (transitive)] allow1396 rebate1425 defalk1460 moderate1541 qualify1548 disaccount1640 off-reckon1721 to sconce offa1777 to throw off1821 the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)] > make proportionate (to) proportiona1398 qualify1548 modulatec1570 proportionate1570 measure1590 cantle1603 apportion1615 equal1618 commensurate1660 scantle1711 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke i. f. xxii^v The highest shall ouershadow thee..tempering and qualifying [L. attemperans] his infinite power and vertue to the measure and capacitie of mannes nature. 1604 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1889) IV. 272 20 li. fyne was ymposed..which fyne was afterwardes..qualefied to iiij li. 1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 43 How to qualifie, and mould the sufferance and subjection of the people to the length of that foot that is to tread on their necks. †c. transitive. To make less wrong or reprehensible, to justify. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > excuse > excuse (a person or fault) [verb (transitive)] > extenuate whiteOE gloze1390 colourc1400 emplasterc1405 littlec1450 polish?c1450 daub1543 plaster1546 blanch1548 flatter1552 extenuate1570 alleviate1577 soothe1587 mincea1591 soothe1592 palliate1604 sweeten1635 rarefy1637 mitigate1651 glossa1656 whitewash1703 qualify1749 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xiii. xii. 106 Her Mind..was too delicate to bear the Thought of having been guilty of a Falsehood, however qualified by Circumstances. View more context for this quotation 1791 T. Paine Common Sense (new ed.) 87 The invasion of our country..conscientiously qualifies the use of arms. †10. transitive. To appease (a person); to pacify, make mild. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > bringing about concord or peace > bring to peace (strife or discord) [verb (transitive)] > appease or propitiate soft?c1225 queema1325 appeasec1374 pleasea1382 softena1382 mollifya1450 pacifya1500 apeace1523 temper1525 mitigatea1535 qualify?c1550 thaw1582 propitiate1583 aslake1590 smooth1608 to lay down1629 addulce1655 sweeten1657 acquiesce1659 gentle1663 palliate1678 placate1678 conciliate1782 to pour oil on the waters (also on troubled waters)1847 square1859 square1945 ?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Three Bks. Eng. Hist. (1844) xxv. 210 Withowt muche adoe they began to mollyfy hir..Whan the quene was thus qualyfyed [L. placata] [etc.]. 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 628 Sertorius..did qualifie him the best he could, and made him more milde and tractable. 1617 T. Middleton & W. Rowley Faire Quarrell iv. sig. G2 When you haue left him in a chafe, then Ile qualifie the Rascall. 1679 Trials Green, Berry, & Hill for Murder of Sir E. Godfrey 16 You being a Justice of the Peace may qualifie them [sc. two men fighting]. 11. †a. transitive. To affect adversely; to injure, impair. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [verb (transitive)] > to person or thing werdec725 wemc900 forworkOE evilc1000 teenOE grievec1230 misdoc1230 mischievec1325 shond1338 endamagec1374 unrighta1393 damagea1400 disvail14.. disavail1429 mischief1437 outrayc1440 prejudice1447 abuse?1473 injuryc1484 danger1488 prejudicate1553 damnify?a1562 wrack1562 inviolate1569 mislestc1573 indemnify1583 qualify1584 interess1587 buse1589 violence1592 injure1597 bane1601 envya1625 prejudiciala1637 founder1655 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to > affect detrimentally atterc885 hurtc1200 marc1225 appair1297 impair1297 spilla1300 emblemishc1384 endull1395 blemishc1430 depaira1460 depravea1533 deform1533 envenom1533 vitiate1534 quail1551 impeach1563 subvert1565 craze1573 taint1573 spoil1578 endamage1579 qualify1584 stain1584 crack1590 ravish1594 interess1598 invitiate1598 corrupt1602 venom1621 depauperate1623 detriment1623 flaw1623 embase1625 ungold1637 murder1644 refract1646 depress1647 addle1652 sweal1655 butcher1659 shade1813 mess1823 puckeroo1840 untone1861 blue1880 queer1884 dick1972 forgar- the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > worse > [verb (transitive)] > other submitc1425 qualify1584 degrade1844 1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft iii. xv. 64 Foure old witches, who with their charms so qualified the Danes, as they were thereby disabled. 1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 52 The standers by heartily wish their Hands qualified with some Chiragracall prohibition. b. transitive. To diminish, reduce, modify (something good); to make less perfect or complete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] littleeOE anitherOE wanzelOE lessc1225 slakea1300 littenc1300 aslakec1314 adminisha1325 allayc1330 settle1338 low1340 minisha1382 reprovea1382 abatea1398 rebatea1398 subtlea1398 alaskia1400 forlyten?a1400 imminish14.. lessenc1410 diminish1417 repress?a1425 assuagec1430 scarcec1440 small1440 underslakec1440 alessa1450 debate?c1450 batec1460 decreasec1470 appetisse1474 alow1494 mince1499 perswage?1504 remita1513 inless?1521 attenuate1530 weaken1530 defray1532 mitigate1532 minorate1534 narrow?1548 diminuec1550 extenuate1555 amain1578 exolve1578 base1581 dejecta1586 amoinder1588 faint1598 qualify1604 contract1605 to pull down1607 shrivel1609 to take down1610 disaugment1611 impoverish1611 shrink1628 decoct1629 persway1631 unflame1635 straiten1645 depress1647 reduce1649 detract1654 minuate1657 alloy1661 lower?1662 sinka1684 retreat1690 nip1785 to drive down1840 minify1866 to knock down1867 to damp down1869 scale1887 mute1891 clip1938 to roll back1942 to cut back1943 downscale1945 downrate1958 slim1963 downshift1972 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. vii. 96 Loue is begunne by time, And..Time qualifies the sparke and fire of it. View more context for this quotation 1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre ii. xvii. 66 To qualifie the Christians joy for this good successe, Joceline..was conquered and taken prisoner. 1780 Parl. Reg. 1775–80 XV. 13 What would have been then accepted as a favour..was now demanded as a right, not to be given up, modified, or qualified. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxvii. 209 Thoughts which tended to qualify the pleasure. 1870 C. Dickens Edwin Drood viii. 49 We had better not qualify our good understanding. 1943 G. Greene Ministry of Fear iii. ii. 196 Happiness should always be qualified by a knowledge of misery. 1999 J. Wood Broken Estate 308 The existence of this pain is an obstacle to belief because it seems either to limit God's power or to qualify his goodness. 12. transitive. To modify the strength, flavour, etc., of (a liquid). Frequently with with. Also figurative. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > drink > preparation of drinks > [verb (transitive)] > alter strength or flavour qualify1591 1591 ‘A. Foulweather’ Wonderfull Astrol. Prognostication sig. B2^v A Cuppe of Sack,..so qualified with Suger, that they proue not rewmatick. 1633 T. Adams Comm. 2 Peter (ii. 13) 862 Poison may be qualified, and become medicinall. 1671 tr. R. Fréjus Relation Voy. Mauritania 43 Having tasted the water,..we mixed it with a little Aqua vitæ, which we had brought with us instead of Wine, to qualifie it. 1697 J. Addison Ess. Georgics in J. Dryden tr. Virgil Wks. sig. ¶3^v Greek..rightly mixt and qualified with the Doric Dialect. 1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. lvi. 222 The Squire..called for his tea, which he drank..qualified with brandy. 1789 G. Parker Life's Painter iv. 31 Genuine Hollands, or right Jamaica, qualified with rice-water..and a proper dash of fragrant oranges. 1821 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto IV liii. 97 Tea and coffee leave us much more serious, Unless when qualified with thee, Cogniac! 1867 T. Dunn Ambrose Fecit 80 The tea was liberally qualified with sugar and milk. 1936 ‘M. Brand’ in Detective Fiction Weekly 24 Oct. 64/2 Why good whiskey should be qualified with water or siphon he never had been able to understand. †13. transitive. To bring into, or keep in, a normal or proper condition; to control, regulate, modulate. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > regulate dightc1230 ordainc1300 raila1350 regulate?a1425 arrayc1440 ordinance1440 order1509 direct?1510 regolate1585 reigle1591 ordinate1595 qualify1597 steer1616 govern1806 police1885 1597 W. Langham Garden of Health 624 The decoction of the rootes..doeth qualifie the Liuer. 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. ii. 117 Is your bloud So madly hott, that no discourse of reason..Can qualifie the same? View more context for this quotation 1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 48 This election was qualified under a stipulation or covenant. 1688 S. Penton Guardian's Instr. 15 The practice of these Rules will help qualifie a Life of Action such as yours must be. †14. intransitive. to qualify on: to submit quietly to; to qualify with: to come to terms with. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [verb (intransitive)] > by accepting terms compound1576 to qualify on1753 transact1888 the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > absence of resistance > accept without resistance [verb (transitive)] > give in or submit to action, treatment, or events undergoc1175 give place1382 receivec1384 obeyc1390 to go under ——a1400 servec1400 underliec1400 submitc1425 subscribe1560 resign1593 stoop1611 to let loose1667 to qualify on1753 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. xxxiii. 230 What a slave had I been in spirit, could I have qualified on such villainous treatment. 1805 H. Lee Canterbury Tales V. 494 He..qualifies with any passion which it is vicious to indulge. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < v.?1465
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