Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - predisposition

(predispositions) 1. If you have a predisposition to behave in a particular way, you tend to behave like that because of the kind of person that you are or the attitudes that you have. (FORMAL) There is a thin dividing line between educating the public and creating a predisposition to panic. N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N to-inf, N to/towards n/-ing 2. If you have a predisposition to a disease or illness, it is likely that you will suffer from that disease or illness. (FORMAL) ...a genetic predisposition to lung cancer. N-COUNT: with supp, usu N to/towards n