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PROPENSITY
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A disposition to behave in a certain way
Example:
the propensity of disease to spread
Synonyms:
aptness; propensity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("propensity" is a kind of...):
disposition (a natural or acquired habit or characteristic tendency in a person or thing)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A natural inclination
Example:
he has a proclivity for exaggeration
Synonyms:
leaning; proclivity; propensity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("propensity" is a kind of...):
disposition; inclination; tendency (an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An inclination to do something
Example:
he felt leanings toward frivolity
Synonyms:
leaning; propensity; tendency
Classified under:
Nouns denoting feelings and emotions
Hypernyms ("propensity" is a kind of...):
inclination (that toward which you are inclined to feel a liking)
Context examples:
E. vulneris is a human pathogen that can colonize the respiratory tract, female genital tract, and stool and has a particular propensity for wounds.
(Escherichia vulneris, NCI Thesaurus)
Well, propensities and principles must be reconciled by some means.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
She meant to be very happy, in spite of the scene being laid at Mr. Cole's; and without being able to forget that among the failings of Mr. Elton, even in the days of his favour, none had disturbed her more than his propensity to dine with Mr. Cole.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
I am perfectly persuaded that the tempers had better be unlike: I mean unlike in the flow of the spirits, in the manners, in the inclination for much or little company, in the propensity to talk or to be silent, to be grave or to be gay.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
For example, in interviews expectant parents were considered to have a ‘balanced’ representation of their child if they showed positive anticipation of their relationship with the child or showed ‘mind-mindedness’ – a propensity to see their child as an individual, with its own thoughts and feelings.
(Mother’s attitude towards baby during pregnancy may have implications for child’s development, University of Cambridge)
The vicious propensities—the want of principle, which he was careful to guard from the knowledge of his best friend, could not escape the observation of a young man of nearly the same age with himself, and who had opportunities of seeing him in unguarded moments, which Mr. Darcy could not have.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
But, no matter how hard we try to stifle a yawn, it might change how we yawn but it won't alter our propensity to yawn.
(Why Is Yawning so Contagious?, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
Each faulty propensity in leading him to evil, had led him likewise to punishment.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
In particular, aggressive humour is mainly associated with the expression of anger towards others and a greater propensity to experience anger in everyday life.
(Self-defeating humour promotes psychological well-being, University of Granada)
How fearful were the curses those propensities entailed on me!
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
