1. A constitutional predisposition or tendency to develop a particular disease or condition.
Usage: Medical/clinical term; Often used in phrases like 'arthritic diathesis' or 'hemorrhagic diathesis'
2. In grammar, the voice or mood of a verb that indicates the relationship between the subject and the action.
Usage: Linguistics term; Rare in modern English; more common in classical Greek grammar

Examples

• A family history of diabetes suggests a genetic diathesis for the disease.
• The patient's diathesis toward allergic reactions required careful medication selection.
• Stress can activate a latent diathesis for anxiety disorders.
• Doctors assessed the child's diathesis for heart disease before recommending exercise.
• The hemorrhagic diathesis made even minor injuries a serious concern.
• In ancient Greek, the diathesis of a verb showed whether the subject acted or was acted upon.