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voluntary
voluntary definition
vol·un·tary (väl′ən ter′ē)
adjective
- brought about by one's own free choice; given or done of one's own free will; freely chosen or undertaken
- acting in a specified capacity willingly or of one's own accord
- intentional; not accidental voluntary manslaughter
- controlled by one's mind or will voluntary muscles
- having free will or the power of free choice man is a voluntary agent
- supported by contributions or freewill offerings; not supported or maintained by the state voluntary churches
- done or carried on by or made up of volunteers rather than by people paid or conscripted
- arising in the mind without external constraint; spontaneous
- Law
- acting or done without compulsion or persuasion
- 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
Music a piece or solo, often an improvisation, played on the organ before, during, or after a church service
Related Forms:
- voluntarily vol′·un·tar′i·ly (väl′ən ter′ə lē) adverb
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