predisponentadj.n.
/ˌpriːdᵻˈspəʊn(ə)nt/, U.S. /ˌpridəˈspoʊn(ə)nt/ Now rare.† B. n.
A. adj.
= predisposing adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > [adjective] > predisposing
predisponent1649
predisposing1660
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar ii. 6 These graces..are given to men irregularly and without any order of prædisponent causes.
1744 Philos. Trans. 1742–3 (Royal Soc.) 42 497 Here there was not Waste of the Fluids, the predisponent Cause, according to Keil, of such Attraction.
1784 C. White Inq. into Nature & Cause Swelling 55 The predisponent cause may, in all probability, be a weakness of the coats of the lymphatics.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. III. 171 Somnabulism occurs in many persons without any manifest predisponent cause.
1975 M. Mayer Nature of Beast i. 11 Unless knowledge can be shown to have a causal (or at least predisponent) connection with it [sc. goodness], the best education is only an amenity.
A predisposing cause, circumstance, or factor. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > production of disease > [noun] > cause of disease
conjunct causec1400
continent cause1605
procatarctic1666
procatarxis1681
germ1700
predisponent1771
1771 Let. to Dr. Cadogan on Diss. Gout 7 My neighbour is free from this prædisponent, and escapes it.
1852 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 13 ii. 375 Secondary causes, as pre~disponents to the disease.
1872 R. Ludlam Lect. Clin. & Didactic Dis. Women vi. 113 In rare cases, the rheumatic diathesis acts as a predisponent of ovaritis.
1895 Nursing Rec. 20 Apr. 263/1 There is no doubt that over crowding and foul air are very powerful predisponents to attacks of pneumonia.
Derivatives
ΚΠ
1846 J. E. Worcester Universal Dict. Eng. Lang. Predisponency, a prior disposition.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1649