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voluntarily

 - 6 dictionary results

vol⋅un⋅tar⋅y

  [vol-uhn-ter-ee] adjective, noun, plural -tar⋅ies.
Use voluntarily in a Sentence
–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.
4. 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 -ty 2 on the prp. of velle to want, wish; see will 1 , -ent ) + -ārius -ary

Related forms:
vol⋅un⋅tar⋅i⋅ly  [vol-uhn-tair-uh-lee, vol-uhn-ter-] , 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To voluntarily
vol·un·tar·y   (vŏl'ən-těr'ē)   
adj.  

  1. Done or undertaken of one's own free will: a voluntary decision to leave the job.

  2. Acting or done willingly and without constraint or expectation of reward: a voluntary hostage; voluntary community work.

  3. Normally controlled by or subject to individual volition: voluntary muscle contractions.

  4. Capable of making choices; having the faculty of will.

  5. Supported by contributions or charitable donations rather than by government appropriations: voluntary hospitals.

  6. Law

    1. Without legal obligation or consideration: a voluntary conveyance of property.

    2. Done deliberately; intentional: voluntary manslaughter.

n.   pl. vol·un·tar·ies

  1. 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.

  2. 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).
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

voluntary 
c.1374 (implied in voluntarily), from L. voluntarius "of one's free will," from voluntas "will," from the ancient accusative singular prp. of velle "to wish" (see will (v.)). Originally of feelings, later also of actions (c.1449).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: vol·un·tary
Pronunciation: 'vä-l&n-"ter-E
Function: adjective
1 a : proceeding from one's own free choice or consent rather than as the result of duress, coercion, or deception voluntary statement> b : not compelled by law : done as a matter of choice or agreement <voluntary arbitration> c : made freely and with an understanding of the consequences voluntary plea of guilty>
2 : done by design or intention
3 : made without valuable consideration or for nominal consideration voluntary conveyance> —vol·un·tar·i·ly /"vä-l&n-'ter-&-lE/ adverb —vol·un·tar·i·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: vol·un·tary
Pronunciation: 'väl-&n-"ter-E
Function: adjective
1 : proceeding from the will or from one's ownchoice or consent
2 : of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will <voluntary behavior> —vol·un·tari·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

voluntary vol·un·tar·y (vŏl'ən-těr'ē)
adj.

  1. Arising from or acting on one's own free will.

  2. Normally controlled by or subject to individual volition, as of respiration.

  3. Capable of making choices; having the faculty of 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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