v. 1 tr. (usu. foll. by to, or to + infin.) a make willing; incline (disposed him to the idea; was disposed to release them). b give a tendency to (the wheel was disposed to buckle). 2 tr. place suitably or in order (disposed the pictures in sequence). 3 tr. (as disposed adj.) have a specified mental inclination (usu. in comb. : ill-disposed). 4 intr. determine the course of events (man proposes, God disposes). dispose of 1 a deal with. b get rid of. c finish. d kill. 2 sell. 3 prove (a claim, an argument, an opponent, etc.) to be incorrect. 4 consume (food). disposer n.
[ ME f. OF disposer (as DIS-, POSE(1)) after L disponere disposit- ]