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

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

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

A Chinese national was arrested in Barcelona in connection with this raid while trying to dispose of some melted down gold, according to prosecutors.

Read more on BBC

Some shipments have been stuck at customs and are at risk of being disposed of or sent back.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes it an offence to deposit or dispose of waste in a way likely to pollute land or water, including pouring liquids into street drains.

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The woman was arrested in Barcelona while trying to dispose of some melted gold, according to officials, and is being held in pre-trial detention.

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Improperly disposed waste clogs waterways and drains, he told AFP.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• adapt 
• incline 
• predispose 
• tempt