a natural or prevailing disposition to move, proceed, or act in some direction or toward some point, end, or result

the tendency of falling bodies toward the earth.

an inclination, bent, or predisposition to something

a tendency to talk too much.

a special and definite purpose in a novel or other literary work.

noun

addiction , affection , bent * , bias , current , custom , disposition , drift , habit , impulse , inclining , leaning , liability , mind , mindset , partiality , penchant , predilection , predisposition , proclivity , proneness , propensity , readiness , run , set , shift , slant , susceptibility , temperament , thing * , trend , turn , type , usage , way * , weakness , aim , bearing , bent , course , curve , drive , heading , inclination , movement , purport , tenor , turning , way , cast , squint , burden , intent , meaning , substance , affinity , appetency , conatus , diathesis , direction , entropy , idiosyncrasy , innate , instinct , liking , nisus , preference , reflex , relation , result , vocation