A word or phrase that limits or modifies the meaning of another word, or a preliminary contest that determines eligibility for a main competition.
From Latin 'qualis' meaning 'of what kind' plus '-fier' meaning 'to make'. Evolved from grammar terminology in the 14th century to sports usage in the 19th century.
Qualifiers are the unsung heroes of precise communication, like 'almost', 'usually', or 'somewhat' - they prevent us from making absolute statements that could be easily disproven. In sports, they're the gateway dreams are made or broken on.
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