tendency

tendency: ten|den|cy

W3S3 [ˈtendənsi] n plural tendencies

[Date: 1600-1700; : Medieval Latin; Origin: tendentia, from Latin tendere; TEND]

1.) if someone or something has a tendency to do or become a particular thing, they are likely to do or become it

a tendency to do sth

▪ Greg's tendency to be critical made him unpopular with his co-workers.

▪ The drug is effective but has a tendency to cause headaches.

tendency to/towards

▪ Some people may inherit a tendency to alcoholism.

tendency for

▪ Researchers believe that the tendency for diabetes is present at birth.

2.) a general change or development in a particular direction

there is a tendency (for sb) to do sth

▪ There is an increasing tendency for women to have children later in life.

tendency to/towards

▪ a general tendency towards conservation and recycling

tendency among

▪ a tendency among Americans to get married at a later age

3.) aggressive/suicidal/criminal/artistic etc tendencies

a part of someone's character that makes them likely to behave in a certain way or become an artist, criminal etc

▪ children with aggressive or anti-social tendencies

4.) [also + plural verb British English]

a group within a larger political group that supports ideas that are usually more extreme than those of the main group

▪ the growing fascist tendency

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Synonyms:

Inclination, leaning, direction, determination, bearing, bent, bias, drift, course, aim, scope, proclivity, aptitude, proneness, predisposition, propensity, turn, disposition, liability

Look at other dictionaries:

tendency — tendency, trend, drift, tenor can mean a movement or course having a particular direction and character or the direction and character which such a movement or course takes. Tendency usually implies an inherent or acquired inclination in a person … New Dictionary of Synonyms
Tendency — Tend en*cy, n.; pl. {Tendencies}. [L. tendents, entis, p. pr. of tendere: cf. F. tendance. See {Tend} to move.] Direction or course toward any place, object, effect, or result; drift; causal or efficient influence to bring about an effect or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
tendency — [ten′dən sē] n. pl. tendencies [ML tendentia < L tendens, prp. of tendere, to TEND2] 1. an inclination to move or act in a particular direction or way; constant disposition to some action or state; leaning; bias; propensity; bent 2. a course… … English World dictionary
tendency — [n1] inclination to think or do in a certain way addiction, affection, bent*, bias, current, custom, disposition, drift, habit, impulse, inclining, leaning, liability, mind, mindset*, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity … New thesaurus
tendency — I noun aptitude, aptness, bearing, bent, bias, character, direction, disposition, facility, gift, gravitation, idiosyncrasy, inclinatio, inclination, instinct, leaning, natural disposition, nature, partiality, penchant, predisposition, prejudice … Law dictionary
tendency — 1620s, from M.L. tendentia inclination, leaning, from L. tendens, prp. of tendere to stretch, aim (see TENET (Cf. tenet)). Earlier in same sense was tendaunce (mid 15c.), from O.Fr. tendance … Etymology dictionary
tendency — ► NOUN (pl. tendencies) 1) an inclination towards a particular characteristic or type of behaviour. 2) a group within a larger political party or movement … English terms dictionary
Tendency — The word tendency is often used by left wing groups for an organized unit or political faction within the group. It may also refer to:* Bleeding tendency * Central tendency * Debs Tendency * Direct Action Tendency * Fist and Rose Tendency *… … Wikipedia
tendency */*/ — UK [ˈtendənsɪ] / US noun [countable] Word forms tendency : singular tendency plural tendencies Get it right: tendency: When a verb comes after tendency, use the pattern tendency to do something (not tendency of doing something ): Wrong: …the… … English dictionary
tendency — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ clear, great, marked, pronounced, strong ▪ slight ▪ greater, growing, increased … Collocations dictionary

Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

tendency

Look at other dictionaries:

Share the article and excerpts

Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Dictionary of contemporary English

tendency

Look at other dictionaries:

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link