Disposition | Definition of disposition by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of DISPOSITION

1

: the act or the power of disposing or the state of being disposed: 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 (see ¹dispose)

2

a : prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination

b : temperamental makeup

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

— dis·po·si·tion·al \-ˈzish-nəl, -ˈzi-shə-n^əl\ adjective

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Examples of DISPOSITION

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
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Origin of DISPOSITION

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin disposition-, dispositio, from disponere (see ¹dispose)

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISPOSITION

Synonyms: grain, nature, temper, temperament

Synonym Discussion of 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>.