| 释义 |
propensity|prəʊˈpɛnsɪtɪ|
[f. as prec. + -ity: so It. propensità (Florio).]
1. The quality or character of being ‘propense’ or inclined to something; inclination, disposition, tendency, bent. Const. to, towards (rarely for, of) with n., or to with inf.
a. Disposition or inclination to some action, course of action, habit, etc.; bent of mind or nature.
1612T. Taylor Comm. Titus iii. 1 A propensitie, and disposition to euery good worke. 1715De Foe Fam. Instruct. i. i. (1841) I. 21 A natural propensity in us to do evil. 1774Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry III. xxi. 42 An early propensity to polite letters and poetry. 1813Syd. Smith Wks. (1867) I. 225 That dreadful propensity which young men have for writing verses. 1844Ld. Brougham Brit. Const. xiv. (1862) 199 He could gratify his propensity to accumulate. 1856Kane Arct. Expl. I. xxix. 391 From my knowledge of the hugging propensity of the plantigrades.
b. Disposition to favour, benefit, or associate oneself with some person, party, etc.; favourable inclination, good will.
1570Foxe A. & M. (ed. 2) 1219/2 Of good will and mere propensitye of hart..he is..ready to forewarne your grace. 1678Trans. Crt. Spain 169 Your zeal and propensity in the service of the King and State. 1709Strype Ann. Ref. I. x. 132 Knowing the forwardness of the Duke's nature, and his great propensity towards him. 1757Gray Wks. (1825) II. 199 If I had any little propensity it was to Julie. 1827Moore Mem. (1854) V. 236 Lord Liverpool, with all his kingly propensities, could do this [manage the King] upon occasion.
c. Tendency or liability to some physical condition or action.
1660Sharrock Vegetables 141 Why have those plants..a propensity of sending forth roots? 1731Arbuthnot Aliments vi. (1735) 170 A great Propensity to the putrescent alkaline Condition of the Fluids.
†2. Tendency to move in some particular direction: cf. propension 2. Obs. rare.
1647H. More Poems 163 Nature..Binding all close with down-propensities.
†3. An overhanging part. Obs. rare.
1771Luckombe Hist. Print. 241 The P is kerned, that its propensity may cover the back of the protruding angle of A. |