Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - disposition

 noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin ~-, dispositio, from disponere  Date: 14th century  1. the act or the power of disposing or the state of being disposed: as  a. administration, control  b. final arrangement ; settlement the ~ of the case  c.  (1) transfer to the care or possession of another  (2) the power of such transferal  d. orderly arrangement  2.  a. prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination  b. temperamental makeup  c. the tendency of something to act in a certain manner under given circumstances  • ~al adjective Synonyms:  ~, temperament, temper, character, personality mean the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group. ~ implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one a cheerful ~. temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization an artistic temperament. temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations a resilient temper. character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents strength of character. personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person a somber personality.