dispose

¹dis·pose

verb \di-ˈspōz\

dis·poseddis·pos·ing

Definition of DISPOSE

transitive verb

1

: to give a tendency to : incline <faulty diet disposes one to sickness>

2

a : to put in place : set in readiness : arrange <disposing troops for withdrawal>

b obsolete : regulate

c : bestow

intransitive verb

1

: to settle a matter finally

2

obsolete : to come to terms

— dis·pos·er noun

— dispose of

1

: to place, distribute, or arrange especially in an orderly way

2

a : to transfer to the control of another <disposing of personal property to a total stranger>

b (1) : to get rid of <how to dispose of toxic waste> (2) : to deal with conclusively <disposed of the matter efficiently>

Examples of DISPOSE

1. <looking for the perfect spot to dispose the new knickknack>
2. <disposed the surgical instruments in the exact order in which they would be needed>

Origin of DISPOSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French desposer, from Latin disponere to arrange (perfect indicative disposui), from dis- + ponere to put — more at position

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISPOSE

Synonyms

depose, deposit, place, emplace, fix, lay, position, put, set, set up, situate, stick

Antonyms

derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple, upset

Related Words

move, rearrange, reorder, shift; orient; establish, locate, plant, settle; clap, flop, plank, plop, plump, plunk (or plonk), plunk down, slap; ensconce, niche; assemble, collect; carry; berth, park; affix, anchor, lock, lodge, wedge; array, lay out, line up, queue, rank; set down

Near Antonyms

relocate, remove, take; banish; dislodge, displace, replace, supersede, supplant

See Synonym Discussion at incline

Rhymes with DISPOSE

appose, bluenose, brownnose, compose, depose, dextrose, disclose, dog rose, enclose, expose, foreclose, fructose, glucose, hardnose, impose, Montrose, moss rose, musk rose, old rose, oppose, primrose, propose, pug nose, repose, rockrose, suppose, transpose, tuberose, unclose, viscose, wind rose

²dispose

noun

Definition of DISPOSE

1

obsolete : disposal

2

obsolete

a : disposition

b : demeanor

First Known Use of DISPOSE

1590