PREPOSSESSION

preconception, prepossession, parti pris, preconceived opinion, preconceived idea, preconceived notion

(noun) an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence; “he did not even try to confirm his preconceptions”

prepossession

(noun) the condition of being prepossessed; “the king’s prepossession in my favor is very valuable”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

prepossession (countable and uncountable, plural prepossessions)

Preoccupation; having possession beforehand.

A preconceived opinion, or previous impression; bias, prejudice.

Source: Wiktionary

Pre`pos*ses"sion, n.

1. Preoccupation; prior possession. Hammond.

2. Preoccupation of the mind by an opinion, or impression, already formed; preconceived opinion; previous impression; bias; -- generally, but not always, used in a favorable sense; as, the prepossessions of childhood. "The prejudices and prepossessions of the country." Sir W. Scott.

Syn.

– Bent; bias; inclination; preoccupancy; prejudgment. See Bent.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition