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indisposition

[in-dis-puh-zish-uh n]
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noun
  1. state of being indisposed.
  2. a slight illness.
  3. disinclination; unwillingness.
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Origin of indisposition

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at in-3, disposition
Related formspre·in·dis·po·si·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for indisposition

Historical Examples

  • It was only an indisposition, pure and simple,—an abscess in the armpit; that was all.

    The Memoirs of Madame de Montespan, Complete

    Madame La Marquise De Montespan

  • I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Swanborough's indisposition.

  • Was the child's indisposition graver than she had led Ruth to suppose?

    Mistress Wilding

    Rafael Sabatini

  • He made the most of his indisposition to Almayer, who came to visit him twice a day.

  • I gave prompt assurances that my indisposition was not serious.

    Oswald Langdon

    Carson Jay Lee

Word Origin and History for indisposition

n.

early 15c., "unfavorable influence" (in astrology); also in Middle English, "ill health, disorder of the mind or body; unfavorable disposition, hostility; inclination to evil; wickedness; public disorder, lawlessness," from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + disposition.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper