[f. QUALIFY + -ER1.]
1. One who, or that which, qualifies, in various senses of the vb.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., IV. xix. (1634), 719. Awny with these qualifiers, that cover one sacriledge with so many sacriledges.
1576. Newton, Lemnie’s Complex. (1633), 79. Qualifiers and alayers of the heat of blood.
1638. R. Younge, Drunkard’s Character, 269. Tobacco, being hot and dry, must have a qualifier of cold and moist from the pot.
1754. Richardson, Grandison (1781), I. xxvi. 183. Sir Charles is no qualifier, Sir, when he stakes his honour.
1796. Lamb, Lett. (1837), I. 55. I was unwilling to let my last night’s letter go off without this qualifier.
1887. Pall Mall Gaz., 9 March, 5/1. Our qualifiers of beer have recently been [catching it].
2. Gram. A word, as an adjective or adverb, attached to another word to qualify it.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xvii. (Arb.), 193. Your Epitheton or qualifier … must be apt and proper for the thing he is added vnto.
1875. Whitney, Life Lang., vi. 103. Formal correspondence between a substantive and its qualifier or representative.
3. R. C. Ch. = QUALIFICATOR.
a. 1843. Southey, Comm.-pl. Bk. (1851), IV. 670. Approved and licensed by Qualifiers.
1888. G. Salmon, Infall. Church, xiv. 335. The question of law is referred to a special Board of skilled theologians, under the title of Qualifiers.
