qua

preposition

\ ˈkwä

How to pronounce qua (audio)

also ˈkwā

How to pronounce qua (audio)

\

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

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Cite this Entry

“Qua.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/qua. Accessed 22 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for qua

qua

preposition

English Language Learners Definition of qua

formal : 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

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