quality
/ˈkwɒlɪti
/noun (plural qualities)
1 [mass noun] The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something: an improvement in product quality [count noun]: these colleges provide a better quality of education...
- As no standard accepted instrument measures sleep quality, we used effect sizes of the change in scores.
- Since degree results are now a measure of teaching quality, there's an incentive to give better scores.
- A number of questions about the clinical utility of quality of life measures remain unanswered.
Synonyms
standard, grade, class, classification, calibre, status, condition, character, nature, constitution, make-up, form, rank, worth, value, level;
sort, type, kind, variety
1.1General excellence of standard or level: a masterpiece for connoisseurs of quality...
- The design community should push the boundaries and bring the standard of quality to a higher level.
- Poor general quality and finishing are the usual indicators of fake toys and parents are advised to buy from recognised retailers.
- Most significant is the fact that Shanghai Automobile Industrial Company gained this level of quality through co-operation.
Synonyms
excellence, superiority, merit, worth, value, virtue, calibre, eminence, pre-eminence, supremacy, transcendence, distinction, refinement, incomparability, account;
talent, skill, skilfulness, virtuosity, expertise, brilliance, craftsmanship, flair, finish, mastery
1.2 (usually qualities) British short for quality paper.The middle grouping make up the majority readership of these scandal sheets, but they are also much less likely to read the qualities....
- A few of my favourite things - sweet peas, long walks, and tea in bed reading the qualities on a Sunday.
- The ‘qualities’ usually have in-depth news items, backed up by articles written by staff writers or outsiders interpreting the news.
1.3 archaic High social standing: commanding the admiration of people of quality...
- Thus, we find descriptions of the professional nurses as “women of quality, sensible, kindly, home-makers, endowed with sympathy, brains, and tact.”
- Tague shows how this rhetoric, although often seen as representing the rise of middle class ideology, was in fact adopted and exploited by wealthy, fashionable ‘women of quality’.
- Women were starting to make their voices heard and one of them, Mary Cowper De Grey, recounts the story of a group of ladies of quality who are determined to make Shakespeare fashionable.
1.4 [treated as plural] archaic People of high social standing: he’s dazed at being called on to speak before quality...
- "But he does want it all the same, very bad - don't you, Jem? - only, you see, he's dazed at being called on to speak before quality."
- ‘Aren't you ashamed to expose yourself before quality in that way?” said his wife, in an angry tone.
2A distinctive attribute or characteristic possessed by someone or something: he shows strong leadership qualities the plant’s aphrodisiac qualities...
- Lack of charisma, timidity and humility seem to be the criteria that negate strong leadership qualities.
- Reputed to have aphrodisiac qualities, the plant resembles fennel, and used to be collected for sale at London markets.
- It's a triangular route, taking in the raised ground at the join of two valleys, and each side has distinctive qualities.
Synonyms
feature, trait, attribute, characteristic, point, aspect, facet, side, streak, property, peculiarity, idiosyncrasy, quirk;
mark, badge, stamp, hallmark, trademark
2.1 Phonetics The distinguishing characteristic or characteristics of a speech sound.The writing system doesn't separate the quality of the vowel from its nasalization....
- Coco has alliterative and assonantal qualities that also make it memorable from an aural standpoint.
- The categorical versus the gradient quality of nasalization in Sundanese versus English indicated that nasalization is indeed phonological in Sundanese and phonetic in English.
2.2 Astrology Any of three properties (cardinal, fixed, or mutable), representing types of movement, that a zodiacal sign can possess.In vedic astrology, Virgo has some qualities of air, because mercury is considered an airy planet for them....
- Each and every sign of the zodiac is associated with both an element and a quality.
- Those influenced by a mutable quality in their horoscope also enjoy learning, play fair and are diplomatic and well-liked by others.
adjective informal
Of good quality; excellent: he’s a quality player...
- But all three sides have excellent managers, quality players and this time around they know what they are up against.
- It's wonderful to work with real quality players but it's just as satisfying to see the younger players develop and learn.
- We have all seen that Clarke is a wonderful player of quality spin bowling.
Origin
Middle English (in the senses 'character, disposition' and 'particular property or feature'): from Old French qualite, from Latin qualitas (translating Greek poiotēs), from qualis 'of what kind, of such a kind'.
The early senses of this were ‘character, disposition’, and ‘particular property or feature’. It comes from Latin qualis ‘of what kind, of such a kind’. Qualify (Late Middle English) from the same root, was originally ‘to describe (something) in a particular way’.