Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DIS-PO-SI'TION, n. [L. dispositio.]

1. The act of disposing, or state of being disposed.
2. Manner in which things or the parts of a complex body are placed or arranged; order; method; distribution; arrangement. We speak of the disposition of the infantry and cavalry of an army; the disposition of the trees in an orchard; the disposition of the several parts of an edifice, of the parts of a discourse, or of the figures in painting.
3. Natural fitness or tendency. The refrangibility of the rays of light is their disposition to be refracted. So we say, disposition in plants to grow in a direction upward; a disposition in bodies to putrefaction.
4. Temper or natural constitution of the mind; as, an amiable or an irritable disposition.
5. Inclination; propensity; the temper or frame of mind, as directed to particular objects. We speak of the disposition of a person to undertake a particular work; the dispositions of men toward each other; a disposition friendly to any design.
6. Disposal; alienation; distribution; a giving away or giving over to another; as, he has made disposition of his effects; he has satisfied his friends by the judicious disposition of his property.