Wordnet 3.0
ADJECTIVE (2)
1.
involving distinctions based on qualities;
- Example: "qualitative change"- Example: "qualitative data"- Example: "qualitative analysis determines the chemical constituents of a substance or mixture"2.
relating to or involving comparisons based on qualities;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Qualitative \Qual"i*ta*tive\, a. [Cf. LL. gualitativus, F.
qualitatif.]
Relating to quality; having the character of quality. --
Qual"i*ta*tive*ly, adv.
[1913 Webster]
Qualitative analysis (Chem.), analysis which merely
determines the constituents of a substance without any
regard to the quantity of each ingredient; -- contrasted
with quantitative analysis.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Analysis \A*nal"y*sis\, n.; pl. Analyses. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to
unloose, to dissolve, to resolve into its elements; ? up + ?
to loose. See Loose.]
1. A resolution of anything, whether an object of the senses
or of the intellect, into its constituent or original
elements; an examination of the component parts of a
subject, each separately, as the words which compose a
sentence, the tones of a tune, or the simple propositions
which enter into an argument. It is opposed to
synthesis.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Chem.) The separation of a compound substance, by
chemical processes, into its constituents, with a view to
ascertain either (a) what elements it contains, or (b) how
much of each element is present. The former is called
qualitative, and the latter quantitative analysis.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Logic) The tracing of things to their source, and the
resolving of knowledge into its original principles.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Math.) The resolving of problems by reducing the
conditions that are in them to equations.
[1913 Webster]
5.
(a) A syllabus, or table of the principal heads of a
discourse, disposed in their natural order.
(b) A brief, methodical illustration of the principles of
a science. In this sense it is nearly synonymous with
synopsis.
[1913 Webster]
6. (Nat. Hist.) The process of ascertaining the name of a
species, or its place in a system of classification, by
means of an analytical table or key.
[1913 Webster]
Ultimate, Proximate, Qualitative, Quantitative, and
Volumetric analysis. (Chem.) See under Ultimate,
Proximate, Qualitative, etc.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
qualitative
adj 1: involving distinctions based on qualities; "qualitative
change"; "qualitative data"; "qualitative analysis
determines the chemical constituents of a substance or
mixture" [ant: quantitative]
2: relating to or involving comparisons based on qualities