adjective

1. brought about by one's own free choice; given or done of one's own free will; freely chosen or undertaken
2. acting in a specified capacity willingly or of one's own accord
3. intentional; not accidental voluntary manslaughter
4. controlled by one's mind or will voluntary muscles
5. having free will or the power of free choice man is a voluntary agent
6. 1. supported by contributions or freewill offerings; not supported or maintained by the state voluntary churches
   2. done or carried on by or made up of volunteers rather than by people paid or conscripted
7. arising in the mind without external constraint; spontaneous
8. Law
   1. acting or done without compulsion or persuasion
   2. done without profit, payment, or any valuable consideration

Etymology: ME voluntarie < L voluntarius, voluntary < voluntas, free will < volo, I wish: see volition

noun pl. voluntaries -·tar′·ies