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voluntarinesses

 - 4 dictionary results

vol⋅un⋅tar⋅y

[vol-uhn-ter-ee] adjective, noun, plural -tar⋅ies.
–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


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


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.
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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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