I. də̇ˈspōz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English disposen, from Middle French disposer, modification (influenced by poser to put, place) of Latin disponere to set in order, arrange (perfect stem dispos- ), from dis- dis- (I) + ponere to put, place — more at position , pose
transitive verb
1.
a. : to give a tendency to
night air was thought to dispose one to sickness
: put in a frame of mind or feeling that is favorable (as to an act or a condition)
the remark disposed him to like the man immediately
b. : to put into a condition (as for a particular action) : make ready : prepare
troops disposed for immediate withdrawal
2.
a. : to put in place or order : distribute and arrange especially for greatest effectiveness, economy, ease, or conformity to a pattern
she carried an armful of books; these she disposed within reach — Elinor Wylie
branches and leaves were disposed, not as combinations of color in mass, but as designs in line — Laurence Binyon
the general who disposed his forces so as to counteract a greater force — W.E.Channing
b. obsolete : regulate , determine , order , manage
c. archaic : deal out : assign to a use : bestow for a purpose : dispose of
d. obsolete : to assign to a particular place or position
intransitive verb
1. : to arrange or settle a matter finally or definitively : make disposition ; especially : to regulate the fate or condition finally or definitively
man proposes but God disposes
2. obsolete : bargain
Synonyms: see set
•
- dispose of
II. noun
( -s )
1. obsolete : the disposal or the power or right of disposal
2. obsolete : disposition ; also : demeanor