verb
qualify
To modify the meaning or scope of something by adding conditions or descriptive detail.
He qualifies his promise with a condition.
Etymology
The Latin word family concerns making or specifying a quality. Qualifying a statement gives it more precise conditions and therefore modifies its scope.
More examples
- She qualified her praise by noting the remaining problems.
- The report carefully qualifies that broad claim.
- I should qualify my earlier statement: only some files were lost.
Forms
qualify · qualifies · qualified · qualifying
qualification noun — a condition limiting a statement