dis·po·si·tion | \ ˌdi-spə-ˈzi-shən
Definition of disposition
1a : prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination
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
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
dispositional \ ˌdi-spə-ˈzish-nəl , -ˈzi-shə-nᵊl \ adjective
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web But the failure has raised suspicions about the disposition of records that could provide intimate details about what happened on that chaotic day, and whose preservation was mandated by federal law. — Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 29 July 2022 From her iconic golden shag to her famous sunny disposition, Goldie Hawn embodies the spirit of summer. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 21 July 2022 Few cultural disputes inflame British passions more than the disposition of the Parthenon Marbles. — New York Times, 8 July 2022 Upon clicking past the message, the sunny disposition of the website takes on a gloomy blue as the music distorts into a sinister boom. — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 2 July 2022 County officials have said the change would save money, lead to faster and more consistent disposition of cases and clarify justice of the peace operations in the precinct. — Scott Huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, 8 Oct. 2021 Unmarried people should put a priority on developing the traditional estate planning documents that don’t pertain to disposition of property: the health care proxy (or advance medical directive or living will) and financial power of attorney. — Bob Carlson, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2021 There’s a puppy-dog quality to Bill’s disposition, one that suggests a deep kindness and loyalty to his people. — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2022 But his own particular irascible disposition, as well as L.A.’s artistic climate of the time, conspired to keep him out of the spotlight. — Matt Stromberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2022 See More
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.
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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Cite this Entry
“Disposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disposition. Accessed 10 Aug. 2022.
More Definitions for disposition
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, Hear My Cry
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