QUALITIES
Noun
qualities
plural of quality
Source: Wiktionary
QUALITY
Qual"i*ty, n.; pl. Qualities. Etym: [F. qualité, L. qualitas, fr.
qualis how constituted, as; akin to E. which. See Which.]
1. The condition of being of such and such a sort as distinguished
from others; nature or character relatively considered, as of goods;
character; sort; rank.
We lived most joyful, obtaining acquaintance with many of the city
not of the meanest quality. Bacon
2. Special or temporary character; profession; occupation; assumed or
asserted rank, part, or position.
I made that inquiry in quality of an antiquary. Gray.
3. That which makes, or helps to make, anything such as it is;
anything belonging to a subject, or predicable of it; distinguishing
property, characteristic, or attribute; peculiar power, capacity, or
virtue; distinctive trait; as, the tones of a flute differ from those
of a violin in quality; the great quality of a statesman.
Note: Qualities, in metaphysics, are primary or secondary. Primary
are those essential to the existence, and even the conception, of the
thing, as of matter or spirit Secondary are those not essential to
such a conception.
4. An acquired trait; accomplishment; acquisition.
He had those qualities of horsemanship, dancing, and fencing which
accompany a good breeding. Clarendon.
5. Superior birth or station; high rank; elevated character. "Persons
of quality." Bacon. Quality binding, a kind of worsted tape used in
Scotland for binding carpets, and the like. The quality, those of
high rank or station, as distinguished from the masses, or common
people; the nobility; the gentry.
I shall appear at the masquerade dressed up in my feathers, that the
quality may see how pretty they will look in their traveling habits.
Addison.
Syn.
– Property; attribute; nature; peculiarity; character; sort; rank;
disposition; temper.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition