Definition of: quality

(kwol′ə·tē) noun plural ·ties
1. That which makes a being or thing such as it is; a distinguishing element or characteristic.
2. The characteristics of anything regarded as determining its value, place, worth, rank, position, etc., or the condition of a thing as so determined; character; kind; when unqualified, peculiar excellence.
3. A moral trait or characteristic.
4. Degree of excellence; relative goodness; grade: high quality of fabric.
5. Capability of producing specific effects.
6. Particular character or part; capacity; function.
7. Archaic Social rank; persons of rank, collectively.
8. Music That which distinguishes sounds of the same pitch and intensity from different sources, as from different instruments; timbre.
9. Logic The character of a proposition or judgment as asserting or denying.
10. Philos. An essential property or attribute.
11. Phonet. The character of a vowel sound as determined by the resonance of the oral cavity. See synonyms under ATTRIBUTE, CHARACTERISTIC.
—adjective Characterized by high quality: a quality product. [<L qualitas, -tatis <qualis of such a kind]