Predisposer

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A factor or circumstance that makes a person more likely or susceptible to experience, develop, or be drawn toward something
2. An influence or condition that increases someone's tendency or vulnerability to acquire, undergo, or be attracted to a particular outcome
3. Something that establishes a prior inclination or increased risk, making a person more prone to encounter or adopt something

Etymology: "Dispose" comes from Latin "disponere," meaning to arrange things in different places, from "dis-" (apart) and "ponere" (to place). The English word reached us through Old French "desposer," and its sense shifted from arranging objects to arranging people's inclinations, which is how "dispose" came to mean making someone willing or likely toward something. "Predispose" adds the prefix "pre-" (before), so it means to incline someone toward something in advance. The agent suffix "-er" turns it into a noun for whoever or whatever does this, so a predisposer is one who predisposes someone. The word is a transparent formation from familiar parts rather than a coinage with a notable story.

Synonyms: factor, cause, influence