Word of the Day

Tuesday, March 02, 2004

qua

\KWAY; KWAH\ , preposition;

In the capacity or character of; as.

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Quotes:

This might be thought a decisive objection to a federal judge's writing about this subject even if the judge writes qua academic rather than qua judge.

-- Richard A. Posner, An Affair of State

Gossipmongers aren't obsessed with gossip qua gossip; they're grappling with the great issues of our day: Truth, Honor and Justice.

-- Robert Plunket, "Cyberscandal", New York Times, June 1, 1997

Another problem is the estimation in which one is held qua artist by fellow New Yorkers.

-- John Romano, "Is Hollywood Fatal for New York Writers?", New York Times, March 11, 1984

Origin:

Qua is from the Latin, from qui, "who."