predisposition

[pree-dis-puh-zish-uhn, pree-dis-]

noun

1. the fact or condition of being predisposed.

   a predisposition to think optimistically.

2. Medicine/Medical.,  tendency to a condition or quality, usually based on the combined effects of genetic and environmental factors.

Other Word Forms

• predispositional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of predisposition¹

First recorded in 1615–25; pre- + disposition

Example Sentences

In the 1990s, teams of scientists — supported at least in part by NIH funding — tracked down the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes responsible for inherited predispositions to breast and other cancers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They’ve identified some genetic anomalies that lead to a predisposition to the spectrum.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That is where we dig deeper and the explanations for the differences in self-reported happiness may be mental health, personality traits, genetic predispositions, etc.

Read more on Salon

The samples helped people discover entirely new family trees and could reveal consequential health information, like a genetic predisposition to cancer.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

My default predisposition is to find silver linings, not overreact and stay calm while others are screaming.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• disposition 
• predilection 
• proclivity 
• propensity 
• susceptibility