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What is "the quality"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
The quality

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.

Wiktionary
the quality

n. (alternative case form of the quality English) (the Upper Class)

the quality

n. (context UK idiomatic archaic English) The upper class, the high society, the gentry; the people of quality.

Usage examples of "the quality".

It had to be pulled and stretched constantly while it was drying, and the quality of the finished leather depended upon how well the hide was worked at this stage.

We haven't even got a word for the quality I mean--for the self-sufficiency of man's spirit.

I was not always that way, but perhaps the shadow Earth, where I spent so many years, mellowed me a bit, and maybe my hitch in the dungeons of Amber reminded me somewhat of the quality of human suffering.

For as you know, Daniel, I am utterly lacking in the quality of mercy.

All the Families in the city would declare vendetta against us, and the Guard would withdraw our immunity rather than openly confront the Quality.