ˈkwɔlɪtɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1
the degree of
excellence of a
thing (of
good quality;
poor in quality). 2 a
general excellence (their
work has quality). b (attrib.) of
high quality ( a quality product). 3 a
distinctive attribute or
faculty; a
characteristic trait. 4 the
relative nature or kind or
character of a thing (is
made in
three qualities). 5 the distinctive
timbre of a
voice or
sound. 6
archaic high
social standing (people of quality). 7
Logic the
property of a proposition's
being affirmative or
negative. øquality
control a
system of maintaining standards in manufactured products by testing a
sample of the
output against the
specification. [ME f. OF qualit÷ f. L qualitas -tatis f. qualis of
what kind]