proclivity

From Latin prōclīvitās, from prōclīvis (“prone to”).

• (weak vowel distinction) IPA^(key): /pɹoʊˈklɪvɪti/
• (weak vowel merger) IPA^(key): /pɹoʊˈklɪvəti/

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• Rhymes: -ɪvɪti

proclivity (plural proclivities)

1. A predisposition or natural inclination, propensity, or a predilection; especially, a strong disposition or bent.

   Synonyms: penchant, propensity; see also Thesaurus:predilection

   The child has a proclivity for exaggeration.

   • 1922 February, James Joyce, “[16]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC:

     This therefore was the reason why the still comparatively young though dissolute man who now addressed Stephen was spoken of by some with facetious proclivities as Lord John Corley.

   • 1995, Andreu Mas-Colell, Michael D. Whinston, and Jerry R. Green, Microeconomic Theory, Oxford University Press, page 10:

     The idea is that the choice of ${\displaystyle x}$ when facing the alternatives ${\displaystyle \{x,y\}}$ reveals a proclivity for choosing ${\displaystyle x}$ over ${\displaystyle y}$ that we should expect to see reflected in the individual's behavior when faced with the alternatives ${\displaystyle \{x,y,z\}}$.

   • 2016 March 22, Emma Green, quoting Pastor Brown, “Where Is the Church in the Black Lives Matter Movement?”, in The Atlantic‎:

     The sermon that morning was ostensibly about healthy sexual relationships, but scathing critiques of capitalism and corporations also got significant airtime. (“I have leftist proclivities,” Brown explained.)