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.
| 1612 T. Taylor Comm. Titus iii. 1 A propensitie, and disposition to euery good worke. 1715 De Foe Fam. Instruct. i. i. (1841) I. 21 A natural propensity in us to do evil. 1774 Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry III. xxi. 42 An early propensity to polite letters and poetry. 1813 Syd. Smith Wks. (1867) I. 225 That dreadful propensity which young men have for writing verses. 1844 Ld. Brougham Brit. Const. xiv. (1862) 199 He could gratify his propensity to accumulate. 1856 Kane 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.
| 1570 Foxe A. & M. (ed. 2) 1219/2 Of good will and mere propensitye of hart..he is..ready to forewarne your grace. 1678 Trans. Crt. Spain 169 Your zeal and propensity in the service of the King and State. 1709 Strype Ann. Ref. I. x. 132 Knowing the forwardness of the Duke's nature, and his great propensity towards him. 1757 Gray Wks. (1825) II. 199 If I had any little propensity it was to Julie. 1827 Moore 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.
| 1660 Sharrock Vegetables 141 Why have those plants..a propensity of sending forth roots? 1731 Arbuthnot 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.
| 1647 H. More Poems 163 Nature..Binding all close with down-propensities. |
† 3. An overhanging part. Obs. rare.
| 1771 Luckombe Hist. Print. 241 The P is kerned, that its propensity may cover the back of the protruding angle of A. |