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tendency

tendency

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views updated May 21 2018

ten·den·cy / ˈtendənsē/ • n. (pl. -cies) an inclination toward a particular characteristic or type of behavior: for students, there is a tendency to socialize in the evenings | criminal tendencies. ∎ a group within a larger political party or movement: the dominant tendency in the party remained right-wing.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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tendency

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views updated May 23 2018

tendency XVII. — medL. tendentia, f. L. tendēns, -ent-, prp. of tendere stretch, etc. (see prec.); see -ENCY.
Hence tendential (XIX), tendentious (XX) having a (purposed) tendency.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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tendency

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views updated May 21 2018

tendency The degree of behavioural motivation that may be inferred from the observed behaviour of an animal.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

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tendency

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views updated May 18 2018

tendency The degree of behavioural motivation that may be inferred from the observed behaviour of an animal.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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