WordWeb Online

1. An essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
   "the quality of mercy is not strained"
    
2. A degree or grade of excellence or worth
   "the quality of students has risen";
   - caliber [US], calibre [Brit, Cdn]
    
3. A characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something
   "each town has a quality all its own";
   - character, lineament
    
4. (music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice, noise or musical sound)
   "the quality of her soprano was rich and lovely";
   - timbre, timber [non-standard], tone
    
5. High social status
   "a man of quality"

1. Of superior grade
   "quality paper";
   - choice, prime, prize, select
    
2. Of high social status
   "people of quality"; "a quality family"

Derived forms: qualities

See also: bad, good, inferior, negative, posh [Brit, informal], positive, superior, upper-class

Type of: attribute, degree, dimension, grade, level, property, rank, social rank, social station, social status, sound property

Encyclopedia: Quality, cost, delivery