Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Tendency \Tend"en*cy\, n.; 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.

Source : WordNet®

tendency
     n 1: an attitude of mind especially one that favors one
          alternative over others; "he had an inclination to give
          up too easily"; "a tendency to be too strict" [syn: {inclination},
           {disposition}]
     2: an inclination to do something; "he felt leanings toward
        frivolity" [syn: {leaning}, {propensity}]
     3: a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward
        a certain condition or character or effect; "the alkaline
        inclination of the local waters"; "fabric with a tendency
        to shrink" [syn: {inclination}]
     4: a general direction in which something tends to move; "the
        shoreward tendency of the current"; "the trend of the
        stock market" [syn: {trend}]