tendency

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtɛnd(ə)nsi/

noun (plural tendencies)

[often with infinitive]
  • an inclination towards a particular characteristic or type of behaviour: for students, there is a tendency to socialize in the evenings criminal tendencies
  • a group within a larger political party or movement.

Origin:

early 17th century: from medieval Latin tendentia, from tendere 'to stretch' (see tend1)

Spelling help

Remember that tendency ends with -ency.