dispose

[dih-spohz]

verb (used with object)

disposed, disposing 

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.

3. to put in a particular or suitable place.

   The lamp was disposed on a table nearby.

4. to make fit or ready; prepare.

   Your words of cheer dispose me for the task.

verb (used without object)

disposed, disposing 

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 phrase

1. dispose of

   1. to deal with conclusively; settle.

   2. to get rid of; discard.

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

   4. to do away with; destroy.

dispose

/ dɪˈspəʊz /

verb

1. 1. to deal with or settle

   2. to give, sell, or transfer to another

   3. to throw out or away

   4. to consume, esp hurriedly

   5. to kill

2. to arrange or settle (matters) by placing into correct or final condition

   man proposes, God disposes

3. (tr) to make willing or receptive

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

5. to accustom or condition

noun

1. an obsolete word for disposal disposition

Other Word Forms

• disposer noun
• disposingly adverb
• redispose verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispose¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispose¹

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

Example Sentences

Patients are treated by removal of the maggots, which need to be killed by putting them into a sealed container of concentrated ethyl or isopropyl alcohol then disposed of as biohazardous waste.

From Los Angeles Times

As the co-founder of Declutter Hub, a community of over 60,000 members alongside a weekly podcast, she says there are ever increasing options for items to be donated, recycled, given away or disposed of.

From BBC

A gas boiler, cooker and meter were kept for examination by police, the jury heard, but tonnes of debris were taken to a recycling centre and disposed of.

From BBC

"I can firmly and confidently say that, as the Executive Director, I did not know that they were disposing of extremely dangerous narcotics onsite," she wrote in a statement.

From BBC

She said: "I've done all of my duties as a citizen, to dispose of my waste in my household. This does not feel fair at all."

From BBC

Related Words

• adapt 
• incline 
• predispose 
• tempt