involuntary
Use Involuntary in a sentence
ənˌtɛr adjective
1.
not voluntary; independent of one's will; not by one's own choice: an involuntary listener; involuntary servitude.
2.
unintentional; unconscious: an involuntary gesture.
3.
Physiology. acting independently of or done or occurring without volition: involuntary muscles.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To involuntary
00:10
Involuntary
is always a great word to know.
So is histamine. Does it mean:
| a histidine-derived amine compound that is released mainly by damaged mast cells in allergic reactions, causing dilation and permeability of blood vessels and lowering blood pressure |
| a pulsation of the heart, including one complete systole and diastole |
Collins
World English Dictionary
involuntary (ɪnˈvɒləntərɪ, -trɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | carried out without one's conscious wishes; not voluntary; unintentional |
| 2. | physiol (esp of a movement or muscle) performed or acting without conscious control |
| in'voluntarily | |
| —adv | |
| in'voluntariness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
involuntary
1531, from L.L. involuntarius "involuntary," from in- "not" + L. voluntarius (see voluntary).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
involuntary in·vol·un·tar·y (ĭn-vŏl'ən-těr'ē)
adj.
Not subject to control of the volition.
Acting or done without or against one's will.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| involuntary (ĭn-vŏl'ən-těr'ē) Pronunciation Key
Not under conscious control. Most of the biological processes in animals that are vital to life, such as contraction of the heart, blood flow, breathing, and digestion, are involuntary and controlled by the autonomic nervous system. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Stuttering is a communication disorder generally characterized by involuntary disruptions in the flow of speech.
For this reason, involuntary outpatient treatment can provide an important safety net.
First, let's consider involuntary collaboration with jerks.
Drug-induced tremor is involuntary shaking due to the use of medication.
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