qualification
UK[ˌkwɒlɪfɪˈkeɪʃn]US[ˌkwɑːlɪfɪˈkeɪʃn]
n
An official record or achievement (such as a degree, certificate, or skill) that proves you have the ability to do something.
n
A skill or type of experience that makes you suitable for a particular job or activity.
n
Something that is added to a statement to limit its meaning or make it less strong.
Morpheme Breakdown
qual
ify
cation
qual
of what kind
ify
to make
cation
action or result
Etymology
The word 'qualification' originates from the Medieval Latin qualificationem, a noun of action derived from qualificare, meaning 'to attribute a quality to'. This Latin verb is a compound of qualis ('of what kind', relating to quality) and facere ('to make'). The literal sense is thus 'the action of making something possess a certain quality'. Over time, the meaning evolved from the general act of attributing a quality to the more specific modern senses: first, the action of proving one possesses the required qualities (certification), and later, the official record or skill that serves as such proof, as well as a statement that limits or modifies another.
Analysis
Structure: qual (of what kind) + ify (to make) + cation (action or result)
- qual: From Latin qualis (of what kind, of such a kind). Functions as the core root relating to quality or nature.
- ify: From Latin -ificare, a combining form of facere (to make). Functions as a verb-forming suffix.
- cation: From Latin -cationem (action, process, or result). Functions as a noun-forming suffix indicating the action or result of the verb.
Examples
She left school with no formal qualifications.
Previous teaching experience is a necessary qualification for this job.
I support the plan, but with the qualification that it must be done cheaply.