Qual"i*fy , v. i. 1. To
be or become qualified; to be fit, as for an office or employment.
2.
To obtain legal power or capacity by taking the
oath, or complying with the forms required, on assuming an office.
Qual"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Qualified (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Qualifying (?).]
[F. qualifier, LL.
qualificare, fr. L. qualis how constituted, as + -ficare
(in comp.) to make. See Quality, and -Fy.] 1. To make such as
is required; to give added or requisite qualities to; to fit, as for a place, office, occupation, or character; to furnish with the knowledge, skill, or other accomplishment necessary for a purpose; to
make capable, as of an employment or privilege; to supply with legal power or capacity.
He had qualified himself for municipal office by taking the oaths to the sovereigns in possession.
Macaulay. 2. To give individual quality to; to modulate; to vary; to regulate.
It hath no larynx . . . to qualify the sound.
Sir T. Browne. 3. To reduce from a general, undefined, or comprehensive form, to particular or restricted form; to modify; to
limit; to restrict; to restrain; as, to qualify a statement, claim, or proposition.
4.
Hence, to soften; to abate; to diminish; to assuage; to reduce the strength of, as liquors.
I
do not seek
to quench your love's hot fire,
But qualify the fire's extreme rage.
Shak. 5. To soothe; to cure; -- said of persons. [Obs.]
In short space he has
them qualified.
Spenser.
Syn. -- To fit; equip; prepare; adapt; capacitate; enable; modify; soften; restrict; restrain; temper.
Hear it pronounced