Search Result for "tendency": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (4)

1. an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others;
- Example: "he had an inclination to give up too easily"
- Example: "a tendency to be too strict"
[syn: inclination, disposition, tendency]

2. an inclination to do something;
- Example: "he felt leanings toward frivolity"
[syn: leaning, propensity, tendency]

3. a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect;
- Example: "the alkaline inclination of the local waters"
- Example: "fabric with a tendency to shrink"
[syn: tendency, inclination]

4. a general direction in which something tends to move;
- Example: "the shoreward tendency of the current"
- Example: "the trend of the stock market"
[syn: tendency, trend]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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 result.
   [1913 Webster]

         Writings of this kind, if conducted with candor, have a
         more particular tendency to the good of their country.
                                                  --Addison.
   [1913 Webster]

         In every experimental science, there is a tendency
         toward perfection.                       --Macaulay.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Disposition; inclination; proneness; drift; scope; aim.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tendency
    n 1: an attitude of mind especially one that favors one
         alternative over others; "he had an inclination to give up
         too easily"; "a tendency to be too strict" [syn:
         inclination, disposition, tendency]
    2: an inclination to do something; "he felt leanings toward
       frivolity" [syn: leaning, propensity, tendency]
    3: a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward
       a certain condition or character or effect; "the alkaline
       inclination of the local waters"; "fabric with a tendency to
       shrink" [syn: tendency, inclination]
    4: a general direction in which something tends to move; "the
       shoreward tendency of the current"; "the trend of the stock
       market" [syn: tendency, trend]