Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Quality \Qual"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Qualities}. [F. qualit['e], 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 : WordNet®

quality
     adj 1: of superior grade; "choice wines"; "prime beef"; "prize
            carnations"; "quality paper"; "select peaches" [syn: {choice},
             {prime(a)}, {prize}, {select}]
     2: of high social status; "people of quality"; "a quality
        family"

quality
     n 1: an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or
          someone; "the quality of mercy is not
          strained"--Shakespeare
     2: a degree or grade of excellence or worth; "the quality of
        students has risen"; "an executive of low caliber" [syn: {caliber},
         {calibre}]
     3: a characteristic property that defines the apparent
        individual nature of something; "each town has a quality
        all its own"; "the radical character of our demands" [syn:
         {character}, {lineament}]
     4: (music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice
        or noise or musical sound); "the timbre of her soprano was
        rich and lovely"; "the muffled tones of the broken bell
        summoned them to meet" [syn: {timbre}, {timber}, {tone}]
     5: high social status; "a man of quality"

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

quality
     
        The totality of features and characteristics of a product or
        service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied
        needs.  Not to be mistaken for "degree of excellence" or
        "fitness for use" which meet only part of the definition.
     
        [{ISO8402}].
     
        (1995-11-10)