predispose

pre·dis·pose

verb \ˌprē-di-ˈspōz\

Definition of PREDISPOSE

transitive verb

1

: to dispose in advance <a good teacher predisposes children to learn>

2

: to make susceptible <malnutrition predisposes one to disease>

intransitive verb

: to bring about susceptibility

— pre·dis·po·si·tion \ˌprē-ˌdis-pə-ˈzi-shən\ noun

Examples of PREDISPOSE

1. Past experiences have predisposed her to distrust people.

First Known Use of PREDISPOSE

1646

Rhymes with PREDISPOSE

Berlioz, cabbage rose, cellulose, c'est autre chose, China rose, Christmas rose, compass rose, counterpose, damask rose, decompose, diagnose, discompose, indispose, interpose, juxtapose, on the nose, panty hose, pettitoes, presuppose, pussytoes, recompose, shovelnose, superpose, support hose, swaddling clothes, thumb one's nose