QUALIFICATION

The possession by an individual of the qualities, properties, or circumstances, natural or adventitious, which are inherently or legally necessary to render him eligible to fill an office or to perform a public duty or function. Thus, the ownership of a freehold estate may be made the qualification of a voter; so the possession of a certain amount of stock in a corporation may be the qualification necessary to enable one to serve on its board of directors. Cummings v. Missouri, 4 Wall, 319, 18 L. Ed. 356; People v. Palen, 74 Hun, 289, 26 N. Y. Supp. 225; Hyde v. State, 52 Miss. 665. Qualification for office is “endowment, or accomplishment that fits for an office; having the legal requisites, endowed with qualities suitable for the purpose.” State v. Seay, 64 Mo. 89, 27 Am. Rep. 206. Also a modification or limitation of terms or language; usually intended by way of restriction of expressions which, by reason of their generality, would carry a larger meaning than was designed.