Voluntaries - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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vol·un·tar·y

Audio Help [vol-uh

n-ter-ee] Pronunciation Key adjective, noun, plural -tar·ies.

–adjective

1.	done, made, brought about, undertaken, etc., of one's own accord or by free choice: a voluntary contribution.

2.	of, pertaining to, or acting in accord with the will: voluntary cooperation.

3.	of, pertaining to, or depending on voluntary action: voluntary hospitals.

Law.

a.	acting or done without compulsion or obligation.

b.	done by intention, and not by accident: voluntary manslaughter.

c.	made without valuable consideration: a voluntary settlement.

5.	Physiology. subject to or controlled by the will.

6.	having the power of willing or choosing: a voluntary agent.

7.	proceeding from a natural impulse; spontaneous: voluntary laughter.

–noun

8.	something done voluntarily.

9.	a piece of music, frequently spontaneous and improvised, performed as a prelude to a larger work, esp. a piece of organ music performed before, during, or after an office of the church.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < L voluntārius, equiv. to volunt(ās) willingness, inclination (ult. repr. a formation with -tās -ty² on the prp. of velle to want, wish; see will¹, -ent) + -ārius -ary

]

—Related forms

vol·un·tar·i·ly

Audio Help [vol-uh

n-tair-uh-lee, vol-uh

n-ter-] Pronunciation Key, adverb

vol·un·tar·i·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. considered, purposeful, planned, intended, designed. See deliberate. 7. free, unforced, natural, unconstrained. Voluntary, spontaneous agree in applying to something that is a natural outgrowth or natural expression arising from circumstances and conditions. Voluntary implies having given previous consideration, or having exercised judgment: a voluntary confession; a voluntary movement; The offer was a voluntary one. Something that is spontaneous arises as if by itself from the nature of the circumstances or condition: spontaneous applause, combustion, expression of admiration.

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Voluntaries

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

vol·un·tar·y Audio Help (vŏl'ən-těr'ē) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Done or undertaken of one's own free will: a voluntary decision to leave the job.
Acting or done willingly and without constraint or expectation of reward: a voluntary hostage; voluntary community work.
Normally controlled by or subject to individual volition: voluntary muscle contractions.
Capable of making choices; having the faculty of will.
Supported by contributions or charitable donations rather than by government appropriations: voluntary hospitals.
Law
1. Without legal obligation or consideration: a voluntary conveyance of property.
2. Done deliberately; intentional: voluntary manslaughter.

n. pl. vol·un·tar·ies

Music
1. A short piece of music, often improvised on a solo instrument, played as an introduction to a larger work.
2. A piece for solo organ, often improvised, played before, during, or after a religious service.
A volunteer.

[Middle English, from Latin voluntārius, from voluntās, choice, from velle, vol-, to wish; see wel-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

vol'un·tar'i·ly (-târ'ə-lē) adv., vol'un·tar'i·ness n.

Synonyms: These adjectives mean being or resulting from one's own free will. Voluntary implies the operation of unforced choice: "Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal" (Samuel Johnson).
Intentional applies to something undertaken to further a plan or realize an aim: "I will abstain from all intentional wrongdoing and harm" (Hippocratic Oath).
Deliberate stresses premeditation and full awareness of the character and consequences of one's acts: taking deliberate and decisive action.
Willful implies deliberate, headstrong persistence in a self-determined course of action: a willful waste of time.
Willing suggests ready or cheerful acquiescence in the proposals or requirements of another: "The first requisite of a good citizen ... is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight" (Theodore Roosevelt).