qua

preposition

\ ˈkwä

also ˈkwā

\

Definition of qua

: in the capacity or character of : as discussing the story qua story

Did You Know?

Which way? Who? No, we're not paraphrasing lines from the old Abbott and Costello routine "Who's on First?" We're referring to the etymology of qua, a term that comes to us from Latin. It can be translated as "which way" or "as," and it is a derivative of the Latin qui, meaning "who." Qua has been serving English in the capacity of a preposition since the 17th century. It's a learned but handy little word that led one 20th-century usage writer to comment: "Qua is sometimes thought affected or pretentious, but it does convey meaning economically."

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Dictionary Entries near qua

qu'est-ce que c'est?

Quabbin Reservoir

Statistics for qua

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Time Traveler for qua

The first known use of qua was in 1647

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More Definitions for qua

qua

preposition

English Language Learners Definition of qua

: in the character or role of (someone or something)

See the full definition for qua in the English Language Learners Dictionary

qua

preposition

\ ˈkwä, ˈkwā

\

Legal Definition of qua

: in the capacity or character of a legitimate interest of the stockholder qua stockholder

WORD OF THE DAY

substantive

important, real, or meaningful

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