1 qua | Definition of qua
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qua

preposition
\ ˈkwä How to pronounce qua (audio) also ˈkwā How to pronounce qua (audio) \

Definition of qua

: in the capacity or character of : as discussing the story qua story

Did You Know?

Which way? Who? No, we're not paraphrasing lines from the old Abbott and Costello routine "Who's on First?" We're referring to the etymology of qua, a term that comes to us from Latin. It can be translated as "which way" or "as," and it is a derivative of the Latin qui, meaning "who." Qua has been serving English in the capacity of a preposition since the 17th century. It's a learned but handy little word that led one 20th-century usage writer to comment: "Qua is sometimes thought affected or pretentious, but it does convey meaning economically."

First Known Use of qua

1647, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for qua

Latin, which way, as, from ablative singular feminine of qui who — more at who

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More Definitions for qua

qua

preposition
How to pronounce qua (audio) How to pronounce qua (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of qua

formal : in the character or role of (someone or something)

See the full definition for qua in the English Language Learners Dictionary

qua

preposition
\ ˈkwä, ˈkwā How to pronounce qua (audio) \

Legal Definition of qua

: in the capacity or character of a legitimate interest of the stockholder qua stockholder

History and Etymology for qua

Latin, which way, as, from ablative singular feminine of qui who

More from Merriam-Webster on qua

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with qua

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