— qualificatory /kwol"euh fi keuh tawr'ree, -tohr'ee/ , adj. — qualifyingly , adv.
/kwol"euh fuy'/ , v. , qualified, qualifying .
v.t.
1. to provide with proper or necessary skills, knowledge, credentials, etc.; make competent: to qualify oneself for a job.
2. to modify or limit in some way; make less strong or positive: to qualify an endorsement.
3. Gram. to modify.
4. to make less violent, severe, or unpleasant; moderate; mitigate.
5. to attribute some quality or qualities to; characterize, call, or name: She cannot qualify his attitude as either rational or irrational.
6. to modify or alter the flavor or strength of: He qualified his coffee with a few drops of brandy.
7. Law. to certify as legally competent.
v.i.
8. to be fitted or competent for something.
9. to get authority, license, power, etc., as by fulfilling required conditions, taking an oath, etc.
10. Sports. to demonstrate the required ability in an initial or preliminary contest: He qualified in the trials.
11. to fire a rifle or pistol on a target range for a score high enough to achieve a rating of marksman, sharpshooter, or expert.
12. Mil. to pass a practical test in gunnery.
13. Law. to perform the actions necessary to acquire legal power or capacity: By filing a bond and taking an oath he qualified as executor.
[ 1525-35; qualificare, equiv. to L qual ( is ) of what sort + -ificare -IFY ]
Syn. 1. fit, suit, adapt, prepare, equip. 2. narrow, restrict. See modify. 4. meliorate, soften, temper, reduce, diminish. 5. designate, label.