predispose

Where does the word "predispose" come from? It comes from Latin prae, passing through French before entering English (1650s).

Predispose’s story begins in Latin: prae meant “before.” Before, combined with disponere (to arrange, from dis- and ponere). By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as predisposer. Formed for making someone inclined toward something beforehand. It reached English by 1650s as predispose. First used in medicine of what makes a body prone to illness. Today, predispose means to make someone likely beforehand to have a particular tendency or condition.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient prae "before", before, combined with disponere (to arrange, from dis- and ponere).
2. Stage 2 · French · 1600s predisposer "to make someone inclined toward something beforehand", formed for making someone inclined toward something beforehand.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1650s predispose "to make someone likely to be affected or inclined a certain way", first used in medicine of what makes a body prone to illness.