Glossary
Terms starting with Q
37 definitions.
- QUAD
- One quadrillion (1015 or 1,000,000,000,000,000) British thermal units (Btus). An amount of energy equal to 170 million barrels of oil. Total U.S. consumption of all forms of energy is (in the 1990s) about 83 quads in an average year.
- Quad
- A four-digit number consisting of the same number. Example; 1111.
- quadrillion
- 1,000,000,000,000,000 (in American usage)
- Qualifications
- Used to describe the results of exams, courses and other achievements. Degrees, diplomas and certificates are all examples of qualifications. Personal attributes that make a person suitable for a position may also be classified as qualifications.
- QUALIFIED ANNUITY
- A form of annuity purchased with pretax dollars as part of a retirement plan that benefits from special tax treatment, such as a 401(k) plan.
- Qualified Domestic Relations Order
- A qualified domestic relations order is entered in some dissolution of marriage cases. The purpose of the QDRO, as it is called, is to secure pension benefits belonging to one party to be split in some equitable fashion to the other party. The order mandates…
- Qualified Endorsement
- An endorsement becomes qualified when he endorser uses the words "without recourse" or other similar language on the endorsement line of the check. This constitutes a qualification on the endorsement. As a result, the endorser's liability on the check will…
- Qualified Medical Child Support Order
- A qualified medical child support order is entered in some dissolution of marriage cases. The purpose of the order is to require medical benefits belonging to one spouse to be paid for the benefit of children of the marriage. The order ends up binding the…
- Qualified Opinion
- A qualified opinion is the opinion of an independent auditor, or accountant, that contains a disclaimer of sorts, such that the opinion is based on less than full information, or that it does not take into account certain events likely to occur in the…
- Qualified Retirement Plan
- A qualified retirement plan is a type of retirement plan that is set up in accordance with and for the purpose of taking advantage of special tax treatment under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Qualifying date
- The date which the Visa Office of the Department of State uses to determine when to send the Instruction Package (formerly Packet 3) to an immigrant visa applicant. The Instruction Package tells the applicant what documents need to be prepared for the…
- QUALIFYING FACILITY
- A cogenerator or small power producer which under federal law, has the right to sell its excess power output to the public utility.
- QUALIFYING FACILITY (QF)
- Under PURPA, QFs were allowed to sell their electric output to the local utility at avoided cost rates. To become a QF, the independent power supplier had to produce electricity with a specified fuel type (cogeneration or renewables), and meet certain…
- Qualifying Period
- The length of time a person must be employed by a company in order to gain certain rights. For example, it may be necessary to work for the company for one year in order to claim staff discounts.
- quantitative inheritance
- The mechanism of genetic control of traits showing continuous variation.
- Quantum
- The smallest discrete amount of any quantity (plural: quanta).
- Quantum Mechanics
- The laws of physics that apply on very small scales. The essential feature is that electric charge, momentum, and angular momentum, as well as charges, come in discrete amounts called quanta.
- quantum mechanics
- the physical laws that describe the behavior of matter at the atomic and subatomic level
- Quantum Meruit
- Quantum meruit literally means "as much as he deserves" and refers to the contract remedy whereby a liability is implied because of the benefit that was bestowed by someone's efforts. This remedy avoids unjust enrichment. Basically, a party doing work for…
- Quark (q)
- A fundamental fermion that has strong interactions. Quarks have electric charge of either +2/3 (up, charm, top) or -1/3 (down, strange, bottom) in units where the proton charge is 1.
- quarter tone
- Half a semitone.
- quartet
- (1) A piece for four singers or instrumentalists; (2) a group of four singers or instrumentalists.
- Quartz
- Quartz is a crystalline mineral used for gems, that includes amethyst and rock crystal. It is available in a variety of colors.
- quasar
- the highly energetic core of a young galaxy thought to be powered by a supermassive black hole; short for quasi-stellar object
- Quenelle
- A fine minced fish or meat mixture formed into small portions and poached in stock and served in a sauce, or as a garnish to other dishes. The term quenelle is also used to describe the decorative shape of the portions - a neat, three-sided oval (a bit like…
- Qui Tam Action
- Qui Tam is the Latin phrase for an action brought by a private citizen on behalf of the King as well as on behalf of himself. Modernly, Qui Tam refers to cases brought by citizens under the Federal Civil False Claims Act, or some other statute. Qui Tam is…
- Quiche
- An open flan or tart with a savoury custard filling, usually of egg and milk with other ingredients added to taste - fish, meat or vegetables. Originally from the Lorraine region of north-east France (hence quiche Lorraine with bacon, onion and cheese), the…
- Quick Pick
- A random selection of numbers made by computer. (Also, Lucky Dip)
- QUICK SERVICE
- A restaurant serving low-cost meals (under $7.00) through counter service. The emphasis is on speed of service and convenience.
- Quick Set Record (QSR QTR XPR)
- A one-touch button that allows instant recording for 30, 60 or 90 minutes. This feature eliminates the need to use the programming mode.
- Quick Set Record (QSR, QTR XPR)
- A one-touch button that allows instant recording for 30, 60 or 90 minutes. This feature eliminates the need to use the programming mode.
- Quick Start
- A refined start mechanism that results in less time spent waiting for the picture to appear on the screen.
- Quiet Enjoyment
- Quiet enjoyment refers to the common law covenant between landlords and tenants that the tenant will be allowed the quiet use of the property without interference from the landlord. The covenant is understood to exist in lease agreements, even when they are…
- Quince
- Quince (Cydonia oblonga) belongs to the same family as apples and pears. It has a shape that's similar to a pear, but larger. It has lumpy yellow skin and its hard flesh is quite bitter so it shouldn't be eaten raw. When fully ripe, the quince has a…
- Quinoa
- Dating back to the Incas, this grain is still grown in Bolivia and Peru. It's extremely rich in complete protein, so is excellent for vegetarians. The small round grains look similar to millet but are pale brown in colour. The taste is mild, and the texture…
- quintet
- (1) A piece for five singers or instrumentalists; (2) a group of five singers or instrumentalists.
- Quitclaim Deed
- A quitclaim deed is a deed by which a person grants to another all of his interest in some real property by agreeing to stop making claims on the property. This is a dangerous deed, in a sense, because there is no warranty of what actual title the grantee is…