I. -fī verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle French qualifier, from Medieval Latin qualificare, from Latin qualis of what kind + -ficare -fy — more at quality
transitive verb
1.
a. : to reduce from a general, undefined, or comprehensive to a particular or restricted form : modify , limit
statements were explained and qualified in the author's lectures — H.O.Taylor
b. : to make less harsh or strict : moderate , soften
time qualifies the spark and fire — Shakespeare
the power to regulate commerce could not be cut down or qualified — O.W.Holmes †1935
c. obsolete : to maintain in proper condition : control
d. : to alter the strength or flavor of (a liquid)
coffee qualified with cognac
an infusion useful to qualify the rest — Havelock Ellis
e. : to limit or modify the meaning of (as a noun or verb or adjective)
2. : to characterize by naming an attribute : describe , designate
cannot qualify it as … either glad or sorry — T.S.Eliot
3.
a. : to give the required qualities to : fit especially for an office or privilege
his skills qualify him for the job
the cisterns qualify the farms for a Class A … rating — Don Cunnion
b. obsolete : to endow with qualities
a mind excellently qualified — Robert Greene
c.
(1) : to declare competent or adequate as meeting set standards : certify
qualify every candidate who can meet the requirements — H.G.Armstrong
certificates … qualifying their meat — S.N.Behrman
(2) : to invest (a person) with legal capacity : license is
qualified to practice law in this state
(3) : to give legal power to by administering an oath : swear in
qualify a jury
intransitive verb
1. : to become fit (as for an employment) : become capable : measure up to or meet a set standard or requirement
expects to qualify for the position
qualifies as a complete man of letters — Selden Rodman
approved land drainage qualifies for a government grant — F.D.Smith & Barbara Wilcox
2. : to obtain legal or competent power or capacity by taking oath or giving bond or complying with the necessary forms or conditions
qualifies by court order as an executor — R.B.Gehman
have just qualified as barristers — British Book News
3.
a. : to exhibit in a game or sport a required degree of ability in one or more preliminary contests (as heats in a race or rounds in a golf tournament)
b. : to fire a score that makes one eligible for the award of a marksmanship badge
Synonyms: see moderate , prepare
II. noun
( -es )
: a gambling game played with five dice usually for merchandise or small cash prizes in which the caster tries in five rolls to amass as many as possible of as high a number as possible