2. Modified; limited; as, a qualified statement.
{Qualified fee} (Law), a base fee, or an estate which has a
qualification annexed to it, the fee ceasing with the
qualification, as a grant to A and his heirs, tenants of
the manor of Dale.
{Qualified indorsement} (Law), an indorsement which modifies
the liability of the indorser that would result from the
general principles of law, but does not affect the
negotiability of the instrument. --Story.
{Qualified negative} (Legislation), a limited veto power, by
which the chief executive in a constitutional government
may refuse assent to bills passed by the legislative body,
which bills therefore fail to become laws unless upon a
reconsideration the legislature again passes them by a
certain majority specified in the constitution, when they
become laws without the approval of the executive.
{Qualified property} (Law), that which depends on temporary
possession, as that in wild animals reclaimed, or as in
the case of a bailment.
Usage: {Qualified}, {Competent}. Competent is most commonly
used with respect to native endowments and general
ability suited to the performance of a task or duty;
qualified with respect to specific acquirements and
training.
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.