disposition

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

Updated on: 26 Jul 2017

Definition of disposition

1 :the act or the power of disposing or the state of being disposed: such as

a :administration, control

b :final arrangement :settlement

the disposition of the case

c (1) :transfer to the care or possession of another

(2) :the power of such transferal

d :orderly arrangement

2 a :prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination

b :temperamental makeup

c :the tendency of something to act in a certain manner under given circumstances

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dispositional

play \-ˈzish-nəl, -ˈzi-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See disposition defined for English-language learners

See disposition defined for kids

Examples of disposition in a Sentence

They move jerkily, like puppets, but have a happy disposition; they are perpetually smiling and are given to frequent paroxysms of laughter. —Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999
… the eight species of wild equids (horses and their relatives) vary greatly in disposition, even though all eight are genetically so close to each other that they will interbreed and produce healthy (though usually sterile) offspring. —Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997
His father, Increase [Mather], with all his faults—his sour, depressive disposition, his open preference for England—is much more attractive. —Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987
Her easy disposition and sociability masked the intensity of her feelings. —John Edgar Wideman, Bothers and Keepers, 1984
a dog with an excellent disposition
Her disposition was to always think negatively.
He has a disposition toward criminal behavior.
people with a genetic disposition toward a particular disease
A will is a legal document that is used in the disposition of property.

Recent Examples of disposition from the Web

A third teenager, who pleaded no contest to charges of battery on a Maitland Middle School student and tampering with a witness, is set for a disposition — the juvenile court equivalent of a sentencing — in November as well.

— gal tziperman lotan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Winter Park teens' manslaughter trial reset for November," 28 Aug. 2017
The sun enters Virgo on Tuesday, August 22, which will encourage the tamer side of your normally impulsive disposition.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What This Week's Horoscope Means for You," 21 Aug. 2017
But the Ravens, known for their physical playing style and aggressive disposition, managed to put together enough of an effort to make life rough for the Dolphins.

— chris perkins, Sun-Sentinel.com, "QB Jay Cutler makes his debut, RB Jay Ajayi starts, but Dolphins lose to Ravens, 31-7," 18 Aug. 2017
John McCain’s temper tantrums often served no good effect other than to raise questions about his disposition.

— victor davis hanson, National Review, "Trump — And the Use and Abuse of Madness," 1 Aug. 2017
Despite Allen’s passive-aggressive actions, Cousins, who has a preternaturally kind disposition, took the high road—something that helps his likability but hurts him in business.

— andrew brandt, SI.com, "Business of Football: The Steelers Should Secretly Want Le’Veon Bell to Hold Out," 25 July 2017
Homeland Security officials said the disposition of the 12 victims in the case also was not immediately certain since they could be needed as material witnesses to testify if the case goes to trial.

— michael graczyk, The Seattle Times, "Human smuggling charges after 12 rescued from hot truck," 10 July 2017
That does not mean, however, that its disposition toward left-wing authoritarianism is entirely theoretical.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "100 Years After the Bolshevik Revolution, Communism Hasn’t Changed," 28 June 2017
Daniels wants USA Gymnastics to remove the president from determining the disposition of allegations.

— CBS News, "Review: USA Gymnastics needs "complete cultural change" to stop abuse," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disposition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

What is the difference between disposition and predisposition?

What exactly is someone's disposition? And is it different from a predisposition? A person's disposition is his or her usual mood or attitude. Are you typically pretty happy? You could be described as having a happy—or cheerful, or sunny—disposition. Animals have dispositions too; a dog with a nervous disposition doesn't easily relax into a restful pup curled up at someone’s feet. In this use, disposition is a synonym of temperament; both words refer to the complex set of attitudes and inclinations that guide behavior.

Disposition can also mean "tendency" or "inclination," and in such cases it has a surprising synonym: predisposition. A disposition to exaggerate is the same as a predisposition to exaggerate. A disposition toward humility is likewise the same thing as a predisposition toward humility. The fact of being "in advance" that the prefix pre- implies hardly matters when tendency and inclination are concerned, since both concern what is likely to happen in the future.

While phrases like "a disposition to cooperate" are about as common as "a predisposition to cooperate," when the context is medical, predisposition is far more common. Phrases like "a genetic predisposition to nearsightedness" appear much more frequently in published, edited text than similar phrases employing disposition.

Origin and Etymology of disposition

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin disposition-, dispositio, from disponere — see ¹dispose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

disposition Synonyms

Synonyms

grain, nature, temper, temperament

Near Antonyms

allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disinclination, dislike, disliking, disrelish, distaste; detachment, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity; apathy, disinterestedness, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern

Synonym Discussion of disposition

disposition, temperament, temper, character, personality mean the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group. disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

- a cheerful disposition

temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.

- an artistic temperament

temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.

- a resilient temper

character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

- strength of character

personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

- a somber personality

Financial Definition of DISPOSITION

disposition

noun

What It Is

Disposition refers to disposing of an asset through sale, assignment, or other transfer method.

How It Works

When an investor sells stock or bonds in a particular company, the sale is referred to as a disposition of the stock or bonds. Insider trades are reported by a company as the disposition of shares to board members and executives. When a bank reviews its loans and decides to sell the collateral that has been taken in a foreclosure, it is referred to as a disposition of the loan assets.

Why It Matters

Disposition indicates a transfer of ownership of the asset. The asset is sold or relinquished. Disposition can also describe an asset held as collateral on a loan.

Source: Investing Answers

DISPOSITION Defined for English Language Learners

disposition

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noun

Definition of disposition for English Language Learners

: the usual attitude or mood of a person or animal
: a tendency to act or think in a particular way
: a tendency to develop a disease, condition, etc.

DISPOSITION Defined for Kids

disposition

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

Definition of disposition for Students

1 :a person's usual attitude or mood

His disposition had been … sour lately.
—Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder

2 :tendency 1, liking

She has a disposition to complain.

3 :arrangement 1

Law Dictionary

disposition

noun dis·po·si·tion

legal Definition of disposition

1 a :the final determination of a matter (as a case or motion) by a court or quasi-judicial tribunal

the beneficiary of such a disposition of charges against him
—United States v. Smith, 354 A.2d 510 (1976)

— compare decision, holding, judgment, opinion, ruling, verdict

b :the sentence given to a convicted criminal defendant

probation is often a desirable disposition
—W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel

; also :the sentence given to or treatment prescribed for a juvenile offender

2 :transfer to the care, possession, or ownership of another

to either a surviving spouse or a charity, those dispositions are totally exonerated from the payment of taxes
—Matter of McKinney, 477 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1984)

; also :the power of such transferral

3 :the state or condition of being predisposed :predisposition