propension

American  

[pruh-pen-shuhn] / prəˈpɛn ʃən /

noun

Archaic.

1. propensity.

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Etymology

Origin of propension

1520–30; < Latin prōpēnsiōn- (stem of prōpēnsiō ) inclination. See propense, -ion

Example Sentences

What then gives us so great a propension to ascribe an identity to these successive perceptions, and to suppose ourselves possest of an invariable and uninterrupted existence through the whole course of our lives?

From A Treatise of Human Nature by Hume, David

King James of Scotland, who with but few regal qualities, yet certainly had a propension to literature, and was an encourager of learned men, took Mr. Alexander early into his favour.

From The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume I. by Cibber, Theophilus

The great propension of the Jacobites to place confidence in imaginary means; and to construe all extraordinary appearances, into ominous signs of the restoration of their king is very well touched.

From The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume V. by Cibber, Theophilus

This transition from potentiality to actuality must be through the medium of such principles as propension or free will, because propension or free will possess in themselves the power of originating motion in other things.

From Christianity and Greek Philosophy or, the relation between spontaneous and reflective thought in Greece and the positive teaching of Christ and His Apostles by Cocker, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin)

Twould be rare Could you perswade me to't, I can find No such propension in my selfe; beware Least in this wildnes you ingage your heart To one cannot accept it.

From A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2 by Bullen, A. H. (Arthur Henry)