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Webster 1913 Edition

Tendency

Tend′en-cy

,
Noun.
;
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.
Writings of this kind, if conducted with candor, have a more particular
tendency
to the good of their country.
Addison.
In every experimental science, there is a
tendency
toward perfection.
Macaulay.
Syn. – Disposition; inclination; proneness; drift; scope; aim.

Webster 1828 Edition

Tendency

TEND'ENCY

,
Noun.
[from tend; L. tendens, tending.] Drift; direction or course towards any place, object, effect or result. Read such books only as have a good moral tendency. Mild language has a tendency to allay irritation.
Writings of this kind, if conducted with candor, have a more particular tendency to the good of their country.

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