quality
/ˈkwɒlətɪ/noun
(pl. -ies)
1
- mass noun the standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something质量; 品质; 优质：
an improvement in product quality
产品质量的改进
count noun people today enjoy a better quality of life.今天人们的生活质量比过去高。
1.1
- general excellence of standard or level优秀, 卓越：
a masterpiece for connoisseurs of quality
供一流鉴赏家欣赏的杰作
as modifier a wide choice of quality beers.品种繁多的优质啤酒。
1.2
- （一般作qualities）short for QUALITY PAPER.QUALITY PAPER的简称。
1.3
- archaic high social standing〈古〉显赫的社会地位; 高位：
commanding the admiration of people of quality.
博得达官贵人的钦佩。
1.4
- treated as pl. archaic people of high social standing〈古〉贵族, 上流人士：
he's dazed at being called on to speak before quality.
他应邀在上流人士面前讲话, 为此而不知所措。
2
- a distinctive attribute or characteristic possessed by someone or something特质, 特征; 才能, 功效, 素养：
he shows strong leadership qualities
他表现出强有力的领导才能
the plant's aphrodisiac qualities.
这种植物的催欲功效。
2.1
- Phonetics the distinguishing characteristic or characteristics of a speech sound【语音】音质, 音色。
2.2
- Astrology any of three properties (cardinal, fixed, or mutable), representing types of movement, that a zodiacal sign can possess【占星】黄道宫运动三大特征之一。
词源
Middle English （in the senses 'character， disposition' and 'particular property or feature'）： from Old French qualite, from Latin qualitas （translating Greek poiotēs）， from qualis 'of what kind， of such a kind'.