Definition of disposition

The word "disposition" originated in the 14th century from the Old French word "disposicion," which is derived from the Latin words "dis" meaning "apart" and "ponere" meaning "to put." In Latin, the phrase "dispositio" referred to the act of disposing or arranging something. In medieval English, the word "disposition" initially referred to the act of disposing or settling something, such as a person's estate or property after death. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to encompass the idea of someone's fundamental nature or tendency, such as their mood or temperament. This sense is often used in psychology and psychiatry to describe a person's habitual or characteristic way of thinking, feeling, or behaving. Today, the word "disposition" is widely used in various contexts to refer to someone's inherent or acquired characteristics, such as their mental or emotional disposition.