Definition

1. Noun:
   • A preconceived opinion or bias: A judgment or belief formed before encountering sufficient evidence or experience, often influencing subsequent perceptions.
   • The state of being preoccupied or engrossed: The condition of having one's attention, mind, or feelings deeply occupied or absorbed by something.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Preconceived opinion):
  • His prepossession against modern art made him dismiss the exhibition without truly seeing it.
  • She tried to approach the interview without any prepossession about the candidate's background.
• Noun (State of preoccupation):
  • Her complete prepossession with the project left little time for social activities.
  • The king's prepossession in my favor is very valuable.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a prepossession for/against something": To hold a strong, often unexamined, favorable or unfavorable bias.
  • The manager had a prepossession for candidates from Ivy League schools.
• "To be in a state of prepossession": To be deeply absorbed or mentally occupied by a subject or feeling.
  • His prepossession with financial worries affected his health.

Variants and Related Words

• Prepossess (verb): To influence beforehand, especially to impress favorably.
  • Her honest demeanor prepossessed the jury in her favor.
• Prepossessing (adjective): Creating a favorable impression; attractive.
  • He has a prepossessing smile that puts people at ease.

Synonyms

• Preconception: An idea or opinion formed beforehand.
• Bias: Inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group.
• Preoccupation: The state of being engrossed in thought.
• Predilection: A preference or special liking for something.

Antonyms

• Impartiality: Equal treatment of all rivals or disputants; fairness.
• Objectivity: The quality of being unbiased and not influenced by personal feelings.
• Indifference: Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.

Related Phrases

• Free from prepossession: To be unbiased or without preconceived notions.
  • A good judge must be free from prepossession.
• Prepossession of mind: A state where the mind is preoccupied or dominated by a particular idea.
  • The prepossession of mind caused by grief can be all-consuming.

Noun

1. an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence
   • he did not even try to confirm his preconceptions
2. the condition of being prepossessed
   • the king's prepossession in my favor is very valuable