Main Entry: qual·i·fy

Pronunciation: \ˈkwä-lə-ˌfī\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): qual·i·fied; qual·i·fy·ing

Etymology: Middle French qualifier, from Medieval Latin qualificare, from Latin qualis

Date: 1533

transitive verb 1 a : to reduce from a general to a particular or restricted form : modify b : to make less harsh or strict : moderate c : to alter the strength or flavor of d : to limit or modify the meaning of (as a noun)
2 : to characterize by naming an attribute : describe <cannot qualify it as…either glad or sorry — T. S. Eliot>
3 a : to fit by training, skill, or ability for a special purpose b (1) : to declare competent or adequate : certify (2) : to invest with legal capacity : licenseintransitive verb 1 : to be or become fit (as for an office) : meet the required standard
2 : to acquire legal or competent power or capacity <has just qualified as a lawyer>
3 a : to exhibit a required degree of ability in a preliminary contest <qualified for the finals> b : to shoot well enough to earn a marksmanship badge