will
will (wil)
noun
- the power of making a reasoned choice or decision or of controlling one's own actions a man of weak will
- strong and fixed purpose; determination where there's a will there's a way
- energy and enthusiasm to work with a will
- disposition or attitude toward others a man of good will
- the particular desire, purpose, pleasure, choice, etc. of a certain person or group what is your will?
- a compelling command or decree the will of the people
- Law
- the legal statement of a person's wishes concerning the disposal of his or her property after death
- the document containing this
Etymology: ME wille < OE willa, akin to Ger wille, willen < IE base *wel-, to wish, choose > L velle, to wish, voluptas, pleasure
transitive verb
- to have as the object of one's will; desire; want to will another's happiness, to will to survive
- to control or influence by the power of the will to will oneself into an action, to will others into submission
- Law to bequeath by a will
Etymology: ME willien < OE willian < willan, to desire: see will
intransitive verb
- to exert one's will to succeed by willing
- to wish, desire, prefer, or choose to do as one wills
at will
will (wil)
auxiliary verb would
- used to indicate simple future time when will she be able to travel? I will bring the dessert
- used to express determination, compulsion, or obligation you will listen to me, he will have his own way, I will have you know that I was here first
- used to express inclination or inevitability boys will be boys
- used in polite questions will you have some wine?
- used to express habit or customary practice they will talk for hours on end
- used to express expectation or surmise that will be his wife with him, I suppose
- used to express possibility this drawer won't open
Etymology: ME willen < OE willan, to be willing, desire, akin to Ger wollen, will: for IE base see will
transitive verb
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
| Topic | Replies | Latest Post |
|---|---|---|
| am to, will have to | 7 | 4 months ago |
| If I await someone... will I become his awaiter? | 17 | 4 years ago |
| Will/To be going to | 24 | 4 years ago |
| future - "pres. progr." or "will&qu | 13 | 4 years ago |
| Shall we use will or will you be using shall? | 17 | 5 years ago |
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