kənˈdɪʃən n. & v. --n. 1 a stipulation;
something upon the fulfilment of
which something
else depends. 2 a the
state of
being or fitness of a
person or
thing (arrived in
bad condition;
not in a condition to be used). b an
ailment or
abnormality (a
heart condition). 3 (in pl.) circumstances,
esp.
those affecting the functioning or
existence of something (working conditions are good). 4
archaic social rank (all sorts
and conditions of men). 5 Gram. a
clause expressing a condition. 6 US a
subject in which a
student must pass an
examination within a stated
time to
maintain a provisionally granted
status. --v.tr. 1 a
bring into a
good or desired state or condition. b
make fit (esp. dogs or horses). 2
teach or
accustom to
adopt certain habits etc. (conditioned by society). 3
govern,
determine (his
behaviour was conditioned by
his drunkenness). 4 a
impose conditions
on. b be
essential to (the
two things condition
each other). 5 test the condition of (textiles etc.). 6 US subject (a student) to re-examination. øconditioned
reflex a reflex
response to a
non-natural stimulus, established by
training. in (or
out of) condition in good (or bad) condition. in no condition to
certainly not fit
to. on condition
that with the stipulation that. [ME f. OF condicion (n.), condicionner (v.) or med.L condicionare f. L condicio -onis f. condicere (as
com-, dicere say)]