preposition
qua
KWAY/kweɪ/
In the role or capacity of.
The man, qua doctor, examines a patient before receiving his own examination.
Etymology
Latin qua moved from questions of place or direction to figurative questions of manner or extent. English uses it to specify the capacity in which someone or something is considered.
More examples
- The court considers his duties qua trustee.
- We study the novel qua literature, not as a historical record.
- His authority qua manager does not extend to my personal life.
Similar words
- as
- Marks a role or capacity in more everyday language.