Predispose Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of PREDISPOSE

:

to cause (someone) to be more likely to behave in a particular way or to be affected by a particular condition

• Past experiences have predisposed her to distrust people.
• Researchers have identified a gene that may predispose some people to (develop/developing) the disease.

— often used as (be) predisposed

• Researchers have determined that some patients are genetically predisposed to (develop/developing) the disease.
• He believes that some people are predisposed to/toward criminal behavior.

— predisposition

/ˌpriːˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/

noun,

plural

predispositions

[count]

— usually singular

• He has a predisposition to be cynical.
• patients with a predisposition toward cancer

[noncount]

• She is at risk for breast cancer because of genetic predisposition.