Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
qualifier
qualify
qualifying widow
qualifying widower
qualitative
qualitative analysis
qualitative lending guideline
qualitative research
quality
quality circle
quality control
quality factor
quality of life
quality time
qualm
quamash
quandary
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "quality" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

quality

qual·i·ty [ kwóllətee ] (plural qual·i·ties)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. standard: the general standard or grade of something
the poor quality of the air
poor-quality work
goods of the highest quality

2. characteristic: a characteristic of somebody or something
Honesty is one of her best qualities.

3. essential property: an essential identifying nature or character of somebody or something
the soothing quality of the music

4. excellence: the highest or finest standard ( often used before a noun )
quality products

5. upper social class: high social position or aristocratic breeding ( dated informal )
a family of quality

6. people of upper social class: people of high social position or aristocratic breeding
mixing with the quality

7. phonetics character of vowel sound: the character of a vowel sound that depends on such factors as the shape of the mouth and position of the tongue when it is uttered

8. music tone of note: the distinctive tone of a musical note

9. logic affirmative or negative characteristic: the positive or negative nature of a logical proposition

[13th century. Via French qualité< Latin qualitat-< qualis "of what kind"]
Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
MSN Shopping
Upgrade your Encarta experience
Encarta RSS Feeds
© 2008 Microsoft