Of or pertaining to an aristocracy; attached to or favouring aristocracy.

Hence, Choice, of special value or excellence; composed of or containing the best, choicest or most… Of persons, company, etc. Now often…

Of persons: belonging to the upper classes of society; ‘of quality’ (quality, n. 5). Now rare (English regional (Cheshire) in later use).

gen. Of or relating to a person of noble birth or high social status; aristocratic, noble. Now chiefly: resembling or characteristic of an…

Of or relating to a class or classes, or a division into different classes. Obsolete.

Of or belonging to the higher classes.

Of persons: Related by ties of family, intimacy, common aims, etc.

Resembling or suggestive of a thoroughbred horse in respect of good breeding, distinction, gracefulness, etc.; pure-bred, well-bred…

Higher or highest in respect of influence, wealth, office, or dignity; wealthy, aristocratic, influential.

attributive (quasi-adj.

Of or relating to the Roman optimates; patrician. rare before late 20th cent.

Of high or superior class, esp. stylish and sophisticated.

(see quots.).

belonging to or characteristic of the higher section of a (social) scale; upper-class, wealthy, influential; cf. (income) bracket, n.; also upper-i…

At the higher end of a (social) scale; superior, of a high quality; ‘up-market’.