q.s.
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Quantum sufficit (a sufficient quantity) |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Medical, Units & Measurements, Sports |
| Also written | QS |
q.s. has three meanings. The most common are Quantum sufficit (a sufficient quantity) (prescription) and Quantum satis (as much as is sufficient) (cooking); it can also stand for Quality start.
Meanings of q.s. at a glance
| # | q.s. stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quantum sufficit (a sufficient quantity) | Medical › Prescription |
| 2 | Quantum satis (as much as is sufficient) | Units & Measurements › Cooking |
| 3 | Quality start | Sports › Baseball |
1. Quantum sufficit (a sufficient quantity)
Medical · Prescription Abbreviations
Compounding and prescription instruction to add as much of an ingredient as needed to reach a stated total, typically the vehicle or solvent. "q.s. ad 100 mL" means add enough to make 100 mL in total.
Example: Lidocaine 2%, diphenhydramine elixir, Maalox, equal parts, q.s. ad 240 mL.
Also written qs, QS or "qs ad". From Latin "quantum sufficit" or "quantum satis". On prescriptions, "Disp: q.s. 30 days" asks the pharmacist to supply enough for 30 days. The term is also used outside pharmacy, for example in chemistry, cooking and cosmetics formulations.
2. Quantum satis (as much as is sufficient) (QS)
Units & Measurements · Cooking Abbreviations
Latin instruction used in professional pastry, food manufacturing, cosmetics and pharmacy formulas for an ingredient added in whatever amount is needed. In EU food law, quantum satis means no maximum level is set for an additive, provided good manufacturing practice is followed.
Example: Dust the work surface with flour QS and roll the dough to 3 mm.
Also written q.s. or qs. Pharmacy uses q.s. ad, "a sufficient quantity to make", as in "water q.s. ad 100 mL". The phrase appears in classic French and Italian culinary texts, and EU Regulation 1333/2008 on food additives uses it for additives such as citric acid that have no numerical limit.
3. Quality start (QS)
Sports · Baseball Abbreviations
Start in which the pitcher works at least six innings and allows three or fewer earned runs. The stat measures a starter's consistency independent of run support.
Example: He has 22 QS this year, most in the National League.
Coined by Philadelphia sportswriter John Lowe in 1985. Critics note that six innings and three runs equals a 4.50 ERA, but most quality starts are much better than that minimum. Quality starts are declining as teams pull starters earlier.
Related abbreviations
More prescription abbreviations
- OD – Omni die (once daily)
- OJ – Orange juice
- PC – Post cibum (after meals)
- PRN – Pro re nata (as needed)
- q12h – Every 12 hours
- q1d – Once daily
- q24h – Every 24 hours
- q2h – Every 2 hours
See all 77 prescription abbreviations →
More cooking abbreviations
- PDO – Protected Designation of Origin
- pkg – Package
- pkt – Packet
- pt – Pint
- qt – Quart
- RTE – Ready-to-eat
- S&P – Salt and pepper
- sm – Small
See all 43 cooking abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.