Emily Dickinson Lexicon

QUAL'I-TY, n. [L. qualitas, from qualis, such; Fr. qualité; Sp. calidad; It. qualità; Ir. cail.]

1. Property; that which belongs to a body or substance, or can be predicated of it. Qualities are natural or accidental. Thus whiteness is a natural quality of snow; softness is a natural quality of wool and fur; hardness is a natural quality of metals and wood; figure and dimension are the natural qualities of solids; but a particular figure, as a cube, a square or a sphere, is an accidental or adventitious quality. The fluidity of metals is an accidental quality. Essential qualities are such as are necessary to constitute a thing what it is. Sensible qualities are such as are perceptible to the senses, as the light of the sun, the color of cloth, the taste of salt or sugar, &c.
2. Nature, relatively considered; as, the quality of an action, in regard to right and wrong. Other creatures have not judgment to examine the quality of that which is done by them. – Hooker.
3. Virtue or particular power of producing certain effects; as, the qualities of plants or medicines.
4. Disposition; temper. To-night we'll wander through the streets, and note / The qualities of people. – Shak.
5. Virtue or vice; as, good qualities, or bad qualities. – Dryden.
6. Acquirement; accomplishment; as, the qualities of horsemanship, dancing and fencing. – Clarendon.
7. Character. The attorney partakes of both qualities, that of a judge of the court, and that of attorney-general. – Bacon.
8. Comparative rank; condition in relation to others; as, people of every quality. We obtained acquaintance with many citizens, not of the meanest quality. – Bacon.
9. Superior rank; superiority of birth or station; as, persons of quality; ladies of quality.
10. Persons of high rank, collectively. 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.