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velleity

 - 2 dictionary results

vel⋅le⋅i⋅ty

[vuh-lee-i-tee]
–noun, plural -ties.
1. volition in its weakest form.
2. a mere wish, unaccompanied by an effort to obtain it.

Origin:
1610–20; < NL velleitās, equiv. to L velle to be willing + -itās -ity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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vel·le·i·ty   (vě-lē'ĭ-tē, və-)   
n.   pl. vel·le·i·ties
  1. Volition at its lowest level.

  2. A mere wish or inclination.


[New Latin velleitās, from Latin velle, to wish; see wel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
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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