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involuntary

 - 6 dictionary results

in⋅vol⋅un⋅tar⋅y

  [in-vol-uhn-ter-ee]
Use involuntary in a Sentence
–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.
Origin:
1525–35; < LL involuntārius. See in- 3 , voluntary

Related forms:
in⋅vol⋅un⋅tar⋅i⋅ly  [in-vol-uhn-ter-uh-lee, -vol-uhn-tair-] , adverb
in⋅vol⋅un⋅tar⋅i⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1, 3. See automatic. 2. instinctive. 3. reflex, uncontrolled.

Antonyms:
2. intentional.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To involuntary
in·vol·un·tar·y   (ĭn-vŏl'ən-těr'ē)   
adj.  

  1. Acting or done without or against one's will: an involuntary participant in what turned out to be an argument.

  2. Not subject to control of the volition: gave an involuntary start. See Synonyms at spontaneous.

in·vol'un·tar'i·ly (-târ'ə-lē) adv., in·vol'un·tar'i·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

involuntary 
1531, from L.L. involuntarius "involuntary," from in- "not" + L. voluntarius (see voluntary).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: in·vol·un·tary
Pronunciation: in-'vä-l&n-"ter-E
Function: adjective
: done, made, or initiated contrary to or without one's choice involuntary confession> involuntary lien> involuntary plaintiff joined in the action> —in·vol·un·tar·i·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·vol·un·tary
Pronunciation: (')in-'väl-&n-"ter-E
Function: adjective
: not subject to control of the will : REFLEX <involuntary contractions>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

involuntary in·vol·un·tar·y (ĭn-vŏl'ən-těr'ē)
adj.

  1. Not subject to control of the volition.

  2. 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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