disposition

noun

dis·po·si·tion | \ˌdi-spə-ˈzi-shən

Definition of disposition

1a : prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination

b : temperamental makeup

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

2 : 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

Other Words from disposition Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym What is the difference between disposition and predisposition? Example Sentences Learn More about disposition

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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.

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 on the Web

The dealer repeatedly failed to maintain accurate acquisition and disposition records, according to the ATF, but the revocation recommendation was later overturned in lieu of a warning conference. — Megan Cassidy, SFChronicle.com, "ATF records show how 6 Northern California gun shops ran afoul of the law," 1 July 2018 Like their fellow fire signs, Leo and Sagittarius, Aries is a passionate, motivated, and confident leader who builds community with their cheerful disposition and relentless determination. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "The Personality of an Aries, Explained," 2 Feb. 2018 The patio in front is one of the best in the city and capitalizes on the sunnier disposition of its SoMa location. — Michael Bauer, SFChronicle.com, "Michael Bauer’s best Top 100 Restaurants with outdoor dining in SF," 19 June 2018 Contrary to what sellers of these rings — introduced in 1975 by a pair of New York inventors — will tell you, mood rings rely more on temperature to alter their colors than the disposition of the wearer. — Howard Cohen, miamiherald, "Here's how NOT to change the color of your mood ring. First-grader gets a hard lesson. | Miami Herald," 19 May 2018 Carl moved to Amsterdam in 2005 to marry a lovely Dutch man whose disposition is a buoyant counterpoint to our family’s brooding nature. — Molly Selvin, latimes.com, "In Vienna, time for creating new memories and revisiting the old," 8 July 2018 And that is a big change in disposition that’s happened inside of the company. — Nicholas Thompson, WIRED, "How Facebook Checks Facts and Polices Hate Speech," 6 July 2018 Saintly in disposition, Jay practiced humility and kindness every day. — Hartford Courant, courant.com, "James R. Giordano," 10 June 2018 Her disposition is authoritative, yet calm and inviting. — Nicole Ellis, Washington Post, "‘Should I freeze my eggs?’: A doctor’s second opinion made all the difference," 2 May 2018

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.

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Last Updated

8 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for disposition

The first known use of disposition was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for disposition

disposition

noun

Financial Definition of disposition

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

noun

English Language Learners Definition of disposition

: 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.

See the full definition for disposition in the English Language Learners Dictionary

disposition

noun

dis·po·si·tion | \ˌdis-pə-ˈzi-shən

Kids Definition of disposition

1 : a person's usual attitude or mood His disposition had been … sour lately.— Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder

2 : tendency sense 1, liking She has a disposition to complain.

3 : arrangement sense 1

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disposition

noun

dis·po·si·tion

Legal Definition of disposition

1a : 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