dispose

[ dih-spohz ]
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verb (used with object),dis·posed, dis·pos·ing.
  1. to give a tendency or inclination to; incline: His temperament disposed him to argue readily with people.

  2. to put in a particular or the proper order or arrangement; adjust by arranging the parts.

  1. to put in a particular or suitable place: The lamp was disposed on a table nearby.

  2. to make fit or ready; prepare: Your words of cheer dispose me for the task.

verb (used without object),dis·posed, dis·pos·ing.
  1. to arrange or decide matters: to do as God disposes.

  2. Obsolete. to make terms.

noun
  1. Archaic. disposition; habit.

  2. Obsolete. arrangement; regulation; disposal.

Verb Phrases
  1. dispose of,

    • to deal with conclusively; settle.

    • to get rid of; discard.

    • to transfer or give away, as by gift or sale.

    • to do away with; destroy.

Origin of dispose

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French disposer, equivalent to dis- dis-1 + poser “to place” (see pose1), on the model of Latin dispōnere

Other words from dispose

  • dis·pos·ing·ly, adverb
  • re·dis·pose, verb (used with object), re·dis·posed, re·dis·pos·ing.

Words Nearby dispose

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use dispose in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dispose

dispose

/ (dɪˈspəʊz) /


verb
  1. (intr foll by of)

    • to deal with or settle

    • to give, sell, or transfer to another

    • to throw out or away

    • to consume, esp hurriedly

    • to kill

  2. to arrange or settle (matters) by placing into correct or final condition: man proposes, God disposes

  1. (tr) to make willing or receptive

  2. (tr) to adjust or place in a certain order or position

  3. (tr often foll by to) to accustom or condition

noun
  1. an obsolete word for disposal, disposition

Origin of dispose

1
C14: from Old French disposer, from Latin dispōnere to set in different places, arrange, from dis- 1 + pōnere to place

Derived forms of dispose

  • disposer, noun

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