disposition

Q: What is the difference between 'disposition' and 'predisposition'?

Sometimes disposition and predisposition mean the same thing, and sometimes they do not. When refering to a person's usual mood or attitude you would speak of their disposition , not their predisposition . However, when referring to a person's tendency, or inclination, the two words are largely synonymous (one might have either a predisposition or a disposition towards being generous). An exception to this synonym comes in medical use, where it is far more common to use predisposition (as in "a predisposition to nearsightedness").

Q: What does 'disposition' mean in court?

In legal use the word disposition may have several possible meanings. It may refer to the sentence given to a convicted juvenile defendant, or to the final determination of a matter (such as a case or motion) by a court. It may also be defined as "transfer to the care, possession, or ownership of another" as well as "the power of such transferal."

Q: What does 'disposition' mean in business?

In business, disposition may refer either to "the transfer of property from one to another by any of various means including gift, barter, sale, or will" or to “the plan for or method by which such a transfer is executed.”

noun

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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 Frequently Asked Questions About disposition 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

Frequently Asked Questions About disposition

What is the difference between disposition and predisposition?

Sometimes disposition and predisposition mean the same thing, and sometimes they do not. When refering to a person's usual mood or attitude you would speak of their disposition, not their predisposition. However, when referring to a person's tendency, or inclination, the two words are largely synonymous (one might have either a predisposition or a disposition towards being generous). An exception to this synonym comes in medical use, where it is far more common to use predisposition (as in "a predisposition to nearsightedness").

What does disposition mean in court?

In legal use the word disposition may have several possible meanings. It may refer to the sentence given to a convicted juvenile defendant, or to the final determination of a matter (such as a case or motion) by a court. It may also be defined as "transfer to the care, possession, or ownership of another" as well as "the power of such transferal."

What does disposition mean in business?

In business, disposition may refer either to "the transfer of property from one to another by any of various means including gift, barter, sale, or will" or to “the plan for or method by which such a transfer is executed.”

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 Final expense insurance is life insurance that’s designed to cover the costs of your final disposition as well as any funeral or celebratory services that take place. — Holly Johnson, CNN Underscored, "Do you need final expense life insurance?," 28 Dec. 2020 Hill’s observations on the eventual disposition of some of his guns and rods were particularly fascinating, although anatomically impossible. — David E. Petzal, Field & Stream, "F&S Classics: Oh, ****!," 21 Dec. 2020 The city’s stressors have overtly affected my disposition a time or two . . . — Rachel Rosenblit, Washington Post, "Feeling moody? One author shares wisdom about halting those downward spirals.," 14 Dec. 2020 Jerseys are known for their gentle disposition, and for producing milk with a high butterfat content. — New York Times, "Is Dairy Farming Cruel to Cows?," 29 Dec. 2020 This is where Maricopa County buries the indigent — people whose families can't afford to pay for their final disposition or people whose next of kin can't be located. — AZCentral.com, "'A wake-up call': 500 homeless people died in metro Phoenix in first 9 months of 2020," 17 Dec. 2020 King County has about 7,000 cases waiting for disposition this year, which is double the number in a normal year. — David Williams, CNN, "A Washington county will let community groups decide punishments for some accused felons," 19 Nov. 2020 For anyone of a nervous disposition, whose very core is shaken by blurred gender lines, here’s a trigger warning: Styles is wearing a dress. — Raven Smith, Vogue, "On Traditional Masculinity and the Bizarre Hullabaloo About a Man in a Dress," 18 Nov. 2020 And opposition to the restoration of progressive rule will manifest itself as a populist revolt whose character, magnitude, disposition, and endgame can only be imagined. — Matthew Continetti, National Review, "The Next Populist Revolt," 31 Oct. 2020

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

23 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Disposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disposition. Accessed 24 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for disposition

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

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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