Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
QUALITY, n. †Sc. usages:
1. A proviso, qualification, reservation. Usu. in legal contexts.Sc. 1705 W. Forbes Church-Lands 188:
The Reservation in the former part of the Act, is understood to be repeated in the latter, with the same Quality, since nothing contrary is exprest.Sc. 1727 Morison Decisions 13207:
M'Gibbon acknowledged the receipt of some goods, but adjected this quality, that he received them in consequence of an agreement for teaching the pursuer the violin.Sc. 1752 J. Spotiswoode Stile of Writs 106:
The which Bond may contain such Qualities and Conditions as this above mentioned.Sc. 1774 Erskine Institute iv. ii. § 11:
Where the quality adjected to the oath relates precisely to the point which is truly referred to oath, it ought to be accounted intrinsic.
2. Comb. quality cake, a kind of gingerbread (see quots.). Also in reduced form quality, gingerbread.Ayr. 1822 Galt Sir A. Wylie xi.:
He dined on “parliaments” and “quality”, by which he both saved money and time, for he ate his dinner as he walked along.Edb. 1825 R. Chambers Traditions II. 292:
[Gingerbread] in thick soft cakes, chequered on the surface, and, according to its colour, called White or Brown Quality.
