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 Words From

• pre·dispo·sition·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of predisposition¹

First recorded in 1615–25; pre- + disposition

Example Sentences

Potential future clinical applications may include risk detection and personalization of treatments based on an individual's genetic predispositions to rhythm impairments and childhood reading/language impairments.

From Science Daily

Atlas Biomed, which has offices in London, offered to provide insights into people's genetic make up as well as their predisposition to certain illnesses.

From BBC

A previvor is essentially someone who has a genetic predisposition to certain cancers, but who may or may not currently have cancer.

From Salon

Results showed apnea events during REM to be a critical factor contributing to verbal memory decline, especially among individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's and those with a parental history of the disease.

From Science Daily

"We set out to determine the occurrence of traumatic stress in ASD, and to understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the reported predisposition to PTSD," said Dr Al Abed.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• disposition
• predilection
• proclivity
• propensity
• susceptibility