I. də̇ˈspōzəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: dispose + -al
1. : the act or process of disposing: as
a. : orderly or systematic placement, distribution, or arrangement
the disposal of troops along the ridge
the pitching of the tent and the disposal of the gear under cover
b. : the regulation of the fate or condition of something : administration , dispensation
c. : the transference of something into new hands or to a new place : bestowal
the disposal of political offices by patronage
worrying about the ultimate disposal of one's property
d. : a discarding or throwing away
the disposal of the dirty paper napkins
the disposal of all the rubbish on the desk
: destruction
the disposal of all enemy aircraft by concentrated flak
especially : the discarding or destroying of garbage or sewage or its transformation into something useful (as fertilizer) or innocuous (as by incineration)
2. : the power of authority to dispose of or use at one's convenience : discretionary use, command, or control — used especially in the phrase at the disposal of
a plane was always at the disposal of the president
Congress had at its disposal the means of alleviating the high cost of living — Current Biography
the shortness of the period at our disposal — D.C.Buchanan
the effectiveness of the central organization depended in the last resort on the amount of money it had at its disposal — H.J.Hanham
II. noun
or disposal unit
( -s )
Etymology: garbage- disposal (unit)
: disposer c