"Disposition" is not exactly an esoteric or technical word. Although it crops up frequently in archival discussions, it's not really specialized jargon. To "dispose" of something admittedly often carries the connotation of discarding, but "disposition" merely describes whatever you decide to do with it after appraisal, which could include discarding, retention (as in accessioning, or, if it's already accessioned, determining whther or not to deaccession), transferring to someone else, etc. In legal terms, surely you've read about the "final disposition" of a case, which can include remanding to trial, throwing it out, etc. Perhaps "disposition" is used more often with regard to archival documents than museum objects because you usually have to inspect, study (i.e., read), and "appraise" (determine the information or historical value) before you recommend disposition, and disposition constitutes enacting that recommendation, whatever it is. Archives often automatically acquire papers after they're retired from active use, and have to determine disposition if they assume that they can't keep everything they receive. In museums, acquisition methodology may be more selective up front, frequently involving only a single object at a time, so they know immediately whether they want to accept something offered for sale or as a gift. This may simplify the procedure, so a museum may not have to go through any particular process of appraisal, recommended disposition, and actual disposition. I guess that's why you wouldn't encounter the word as often in museums, although when a museum does study its collections for possible weeding, the collections committee or registrar will probably use the word after studying a case, and will recommend disposition--to either keep the objects or get rid of them somehow. But to cut to the chase--I think you'll find that this meaning of disposition is covered by any dictionary. David Haberstich ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).