English
disposition
Etymology

From Middle English disposicioun, from Middle French disposition, from Latin dispositiōnem, accusative singular of dispositiō, from dispōnō.

Pronunciation
  • (British, Australia) IPA: /ˌdɪs.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/
  • (America) IPA: /ˌdɪs.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/, /ˌdɪs.pəˈzɪʃ.ɪn/
Noun

disposition

  1. The way in which something or someone is disposed or disposed of (in any sense of those terms); thus:
    1. Control over something, or the results produced by the exercise of such control; thus:
      1. The arrangement or placement of certain things.
        The scouts reported on the disposition of the enemy troops.
        • 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 5, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC ↗:
          The departure was not unduly prolonged. […] Within the door Mrs. Spoker hastily imparted to Mrs. Love a few final sentiments on the subject of Divine Intention in the disposition of buckets; farewells and last commiserations; a deep, guttural instigation to the horse; and the wheels of the waggonette crunched heavily away into obscurity.
      2. Control over something, especially with regard to disposing or dispensing with an action item (disposal of a concern, allocation of disbursed funds) or control over the arrangement or placement of certain things.
        You will have full disposition of these funds.
      3. (legal) Transfer or relinquishment to the care or possession of another.
        The court ordered the disposition of all assets.
        Synonyms: assignment, conveyance
      4. (legal) Final decision or settlement.
        The disposition of the case will be announced tomorrow.
      5. (medicine) The destination of a patient after medical treatment, especially after emergency triage, first line treatment, or surgery; the choice made for the next venue of care.
        The patient was given a disposition for outpatient care, as ward admission was not indicated.
      6. (music) The set of choirs of strings on a harpsichord.
        This small harpsichord has a 1 x 4' disposition.
    2. Tendency or inclination under given circumstances.
      I have little disposition now to do as you say.
      Salt has a disposition to dissolve in water.
    3. Temperament, temperamental makeup or habitual mood.
      She has a sunny disposition.
      He has such a foul disposition.
      • 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter II, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC ↗, book III:
        He was, indeed, a lad of a remarkable disposition; sober, discreet, and pious beyond his age […]
  2. (law) Provision; clause.
Related terms Translations Translations Translations Verb

disposition (dispositions, present participle dispositioning; simple past and past participle dispositioned)

  1. To remove or place in a different position.
Related terms

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