dispositive

[ dih-spoz-i-tiv ]

adjective

1. involving or affecting disposition or settlement:

   a dispositive clue in a case of embezzlement.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispositive¹

1475–85; dispose + -itive, on the model of positive

Example Sentences

The majority “presents tradition itself as the constitutional argument,” as though it is “dispositive of the First Amendment issue,” without any “theoretical justification.”

From Slate

In a passage that must have made the liberal justices proud, Barrett continued: “Relying exclusively on history and tradition may seem like a way of avoiding judge-made tests. But a rule rendering tradition dispositive is itself a judge-made test. And I do not see a good reason to resolve this case using that approach rather than by adopting a generally applicable principle.”

From Slate

"It will be easy enough" for bad actors to "cover their tracks in the end: just raise the 'possibility' of non-race-based decision making, and it will be 'dispositive,'" Kagan wrote in her dissent.

From Salon

I am simply saying that historical context is not dispositive either.

From Slate

Which makes the first presumption the dispositive one.

From Seattle Times