The quality of a scholar, as referenced in the New York Times crossword puzzle on October 14, 2025, is "ERUDITION." Erudition means profound scholarly knowledge and mastery in one or more disciplines, often gained through long study. This term captures the essence of a scholar's quality as someone deeply learned and knowledgeable.

One article from the New York Times also discusses how scholarly quality is traditionally assessed via peer review but is evolving with digital media allowing broader and more open evaluation methods by wider audiences.