5 meanings
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1 —as in:
dispose of the waste
Definition
to throw away- How will they dispose of the waste?
dispose = throw away (get rid of)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- What is the best way to responsibly dispose of old electronic equipment.
- I put it in the garbage disposal.
- The contents would be disposed of by Hans as prudently as possible.Markus Zusak -- The Book Thief
- He had, of course, disposed of the apple and made his apology to the Recreation Director the next morning, before school.Lois Lowry -- The Giver
- Unaware of public scrutiny from above, Judge Taylor disposed of the severed end [of his cigar] by propelling it expertly to his lips and saying, "Fhluck!" He hit the spittoon so squarely...Harper Lee -- To Kill a Mockingbird
- The disposal of sewage and wasteLauren Oliver -- Delirium
- My job was to pick the piles up and dispose of them.Kaye Gibbons -- Ellen Foster
- If it were possible, the car looked worse than before—like a toy that someone had wedged down the sink and run through the garbage disposal.Alexandra Bracken -- The Darkest Minds
- The implications that I could so readily dispose of Peeta, that I'm in love with Gale, that the whole thing has been an act.Suzanne Collins -- Mockingjay
dispose = throw away
disposal = to throw away (or get rid of)
disposed = thrown away
disposed = thrown away
disposed = got rid (threw away)
disposal = the process of getting rid of something; or a kitchen appliance for getting rid of garbage
dispose = throw away
disposal = to throw away
dispose = throw away
2 —as in:
dispose of the matter
Definition
to settle something so it no longer requires attention- I expect them to dispose of the matter this afternoon.
dispose = settle (something so it no longer requires attention)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- The issue will be disposed by the judge.
- In this dialogue, the whole argument in behalf of slavery was brought forward by the master, all of which was disposed of by the slave.Frederick Douglass -- The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
- But Tom's extravagance had, previous to that event, been so great as to render a different disposal of the next presentation necessary, and the younger brother must help to pay for the pleasures of the elder.Jane Austen -- Mansfield Park
- they intend to dispose of himDarren Shan -- A Vampire's Assistant
- Surely a drugged Mockingjay will be easier to dispose of in front of a crowd.Suzanne Collins -- Mockingjay
- I carry things up the stairs and stow them in the garage. In there they seem disposed of.Margaret Atwood -- Cat's Eye
- he is unable to take a fact out of its merely political relations, and behold it as it lies absolutely to be disposed of by the intellectHenry David Thoreau -- Resistance to Civil Government
- The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures required a witness to the execution of a mad hippogriff.J.K. Rowling -- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- The forest disposes of its own victims.Ayn Rand -- Anthem
disposed = settled (so something no longer requires attention)
disposed = settled
disposal = settlement of what was to be done
dispose = settle (something so it no longer requires attention)
dispose = settle (something so it no longer requires attention)
disposed = taken care of so they will no longer require attention
disposed = settled
disposal = the act of settling something so it no longer requires attention
disposes = settles (something so it no longer requires attention)
3 —as in:
dispose of the assets
Definition
sell or transfer to another- Will you dispose of your California real estate now that you have moved?
dispose = sell or transfer to another
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- Her will split everything between the children, but left no instructions regarding disposal of her home and art.
- Cut off thus unexpectedly, he left no will as to the disposal of his property.Frederick Douglass -- The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
- ...he had an undoubted right to dispose of his own property as he chose,Jane Austen -- Sense and Sensibility
- There was only a small part of his estate that Sir Walter could dispose of;Jane Austen -- Persuasion
- He made me think of a pirate captain disposing of the booty.John Knowles -- A Separate Peace
disposal = the transfer of ownership
disposal = transfer
dispose = to give, sell, or transfer
dispose = sell
disposing = transferring to others
4 —as in:
disposed the troops along...
Definition
the arrangement, positioning, or use of things- Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.
disposed = placed
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- I am at your disposal.
- You have a tight deadline, but the entire company is at your disposal.
- They carried spears and disposed themselves to defend the entrance.William Golding -- Lord of the Flies
- I was his to dispose of, like his seed-warriors or his fire-breathing bulls.Madeline Miller -- Circe
- He had the world at his disposal.Kiera Cass -- The Selection
- The only movement at her disposal was the act of turning.Markus Zusak -- The Book Thief
- "My dear sister," said Mary, "if you can persuade him into anything of the sort, it will be a fresh matter of delight to me to find myself allied to anybody so clever, and I shall only regret that you have not half a dozen daughters to dispose of."Jane Austen -- Mansfield Park
- There were books and music and a TV at my disposal, which meant I never once had the opportunity to be bored.Alexandra Bracken -- The Darkest Minds
- The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous benches:Jane Austen -- Persuasion
disposal = command (available to be used)
disposal = command (available to be used)
disposed = positioned
dispose = use
disposal = available for use
disposal = available for use
dispose = settle in life
disposal = available for use
disposed = positioned (or arranged; or placed)
5 —as in:
Is she disposed to help?
Definition
inclined (with a tendency to; or in the mood to)- I am not disposed to help someone who has been so rude.
disposed = inclined (with a tendency to; or in the mood to)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- In that country, you are unlikely to find an official who is disposed to help you unless you offer a bribe.
- He too, at first, seemed disposed to refuse; but, after some reflection, he granted me the privilege,Frederick Douglass -- The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
- But even if they were disposed to help me, they would not dare to stand against Athena in her wrath.Madeline Miller -- Circe
- "Perhaps," said Tom, "Fanny may be more disposed to oblige us now."Jane Austen -- Mansfield Park
- ...seemed thoughtful and not disposed to talk,Jane Austen -- Persuasion
- I find myself disposed to ... discover a pretext for conformity.Henry David Thoreau -- Resistance to Civil Government
- Lucy was disposed to be jealous of her...Jane Austen -- Sense and Sensibility
- ...she was disposed to be too communicative,Charles Dickens -- Oliver Twist
- ...she is more disposed to reward than to punish.Jonathan Swift -- Gulliver's Travels
disposed = inclined (with a tendency or mood to do something)
disposed = inclined (having a state of mind that favors doing something)
disposed = inclined
disposed = inclined (in favor)
disposed = inclined (in the mood)
disposed = inclined (having a tendency to)
disposed = inclined (having a state of mind that favors doing something)
disposed = inclined (had a tendency)
disposed = inclined (has a tendency to)
Less commonly:
Less commonly, disposing of can imply killing someone.