Definition of Tendency

1. Noun. An attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others. "A tendency to be too strict"


2. Noun. An inclination to do something. "He felt leanings toward frivolity"
Exact synonyms: Leaning, Propensity
Generic synonyms: Inclination
Derivative terms: Tend

3. Noun. A characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect. "Fabric with a tendency to shrink"
Exact synonyms: Inclination
Specialized synonyms: Heterosis, Hybrid Vigor, Buoyancy, Electronegativity, Negativity, Stainability, Desire
Generic synonyms: Disposition
Derivative terms: Incline

4. Noun. A general direction in which something tends to move. "The trend of the stock market"
Exact synonyms: Trend
Generic synonyms: Direction, Way

Definition of Tendency

1. n. Direction or course toward any place, object, effect, or result; drift; causal or efficient influence to bring about an effect or result.

Definition of Tendency

1. Noun. a likelihood of behaving in a particular way or going in a particular direction; a tending toward. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Tendency

1. an inclination to act or think in a particular way [n -CIES]

Medical Definition of Tendency

1. A presumptive course of future behaviour in continuation of observed acts and attitudes. (13 Jan 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tendency

tenatumomab
tenaunt
tench
tenches
tend
tendance
tendances
tendancies
tendancy
tended
tended to(p)
tendence
tendences
tendencies
tendencious
tendency (current term)
tendency tone
tendency tones
tendency writing
tendential
tendentially
tendentious
tendentiously
tendentiousness
tendentiousnesses
tendenz
tendenzen
tender
tender-hearted
tender lines

Literary usage of Tendency

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Principles of Economics by Frank William Taussig (1915)
"And such a tendency, to repeat, exists over a very large part, ... A comparison has often been made to the tendency of the ocean to keep its level. ..."

2. Educational Psychology by Edward Lee Thorndike (1913)
"THE COMPONENTS OF AN ORIGINAL tendency A typical reflex, or instinct, or capacity, as a whole, includes the ability to be sensitive to a certain situation, ..."

3. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, Henry Reeve (1875)
"GENERAL tendency OF THE LAWS UNDER THE RULE OF THE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, AND HABITS OP THOSE WHO APPLY THEM. Defects of a democratic government easy to be ..."

4. An Essay on the Identity and General Resurrection of the Human Body: In by Samuel Drew (1811)
"This pro- pensity, or tendency, seems to have been impressed upon all the parts of ... But what the origin of this tendency is, how far it actually extends, ..."

5. The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York by Daniel Defoe (1790)
"... tendency, the Life of Colonel Jack, who was born a gentleman but. was bred a pickpocket. ... tendency ..."

6. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (1839)
"GENERAL tendency OF THE LAWS UNDER THE RULE OF THE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, ... Democracy in America often inexpert, but the general tendency of the laws ..."

7. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (1864)
"Democracy in America often inexpert, but the general tendency of the Laws is advantageous. — In the American Democracy, Public Officers have ..."

8. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, Henry Reeve, John Canfield Spencer (1848)
"GENERAL tendency OF THE LAWS UNDER THE RULE OF THE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, AND HABITS OF THOSE ... Democracy in America often inexpert, but the general tendency ..."

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