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voluntarily

 - 5 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.
Cite This Source
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.
Cite This Source
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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