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disposition

noun
dis·​po·​si·​tion | \ ˌdi-spə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce disposition (audio) \

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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Other Words from disposition

dispositional \ ˌdi-​spə-​ˈzish-​nəl How to pronounce dispositional (audio) , -​ˈzi-​shə-​nᵊl \ adjective

Synonyms for disposition

Synonyms

grain, nature, temper, temperament

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Proceeds include all sums received by SME from the sale of its equity in Spotify less SME’s actual costs related to the acquisition and sale of such equity, including acquisition costs and the cost of disposition (e.g., advisor fees and legal fees). — Melinda Newman, Billboard, "Sony Music Entertainment to Start Paying Indie Artists & Labels Spotify Sale Proceeds as Early as August," 14 June 2018 The California mom who allegedly waterboarded her 10 children and shot them with BB guns and crossbows hid her sinister tendencies behind the façade of a bubbly disposition, according to a co-worker who knew her well. — Fox News, "Mom accused of abusing 10 children hid sinister actions behind bubbly disposition, co-worker says," 17 May 2018 Dissent had become part of Nashville's disposition. — USA TODAY, "Nashville and the Destiny of Dissent," 15 Apr. 2018 Forbes perpetuates a commonsensical approach that the dispositions normally associated with education should be substituted with pro-business and pro-market ideologies. — Valerie Strauss, Washington Post, "Who wins the annual Forbes’ “30 Under 30” education awards? New study details telling links between judges and winners," 3 July 2018 This type of citizen participation was also realized in South Australia to decide on the disposition of nuclear waste, a topic too toxic for party politics and too divisive for a referendum. — New York Times, "Letters to the Editor," 4 May 2018 For instance, guilty pleas in homicide and attempted homicide cases made up about 53 percent of the dispositions, while 37 percent went to trial. — Megan Crepeau, chicagotribune.com, "With crush of cases facing courts, plea deal once given man accused of killing Cmdr. Paul Bauer not unusual," 9 Mar. 2018 Many other pet owners select cremation as the final disposition for their pets. — Ace Ratcliff, SELF, "Pet Euthanasia at Home: 6 Ways to Make Putting Down Your Pet Easier on Them—and You," 25 Oct. 2018 To celebrate the occasion, Green’s son, Grant Green Jr. — a guitarist of cool, unhurried disposition, bearing the striking redolence of his father’s style — leads an all-star band at Jazz Standard. — New York Times, "13 Pop, Rock and Jazz Concerts to Check Out in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 28 June 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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First Known Use of disposition

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for disposition

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

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Statistics for disposition

Last Updated

4 Jun 2019

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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
How to pronounce disposition (audio)

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 How to pronounce disposition (audio) \

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
3 : the state or condition of being predisposed : predisposition

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More from Merriam-Webster on disposition

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with disposition

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disposition

Spanish Central: Translation of disposition

Nglish: Translation of disposition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of disposition for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about disposition

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