(adj) involving distinctions based on qualities, Ant. quantitative, Example:qualitative change; qualitative data; qualitative analysis determines the chemical constituents of a substance or mixture
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]