~ 1
■ modal verb ( 3rd singular present ~ ; past would )
1》 expressing the future tense.
↘expressing a strong intention or assertion about the future.
2》 expressing inevitable events.
3》 expressing a request.
↘expressing desire, consent, or ~ingness.
4》 expressing facts about ability or capacity.
5》 expressing habitual behaviour.
6》 expressing probability or expectation about something in the present.
Origin
OE wyllan , of Gmc origin.
Usage
On the differences in use between ~ and shall , see usage at shall .
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~ 2
■ noun
1》 the faculty by which a person decides on and initiates action.
↘(also ~power ) control or restraint deliberately exerted.
↘a desire or intention.
2》 a legal document containing instructions for the disposition of one's money and property after one's death.
■ verb
1》 chiefly formal or literary intend or desire to happen.
↘bring about by the exercise of mental powers.
2》 ( ~ something to ) bequeath something to.
↘leave specified instructions in one's ~.
Phrases
at ~ at whatever time or in whatever way one pleases.
have a ~ of one's own have a wilful character.
with the best ~ in the world however good one's intentions.
with a ~ energetically and resolutely.
Derivatives
-~ed adjective
~er noun
Origin
OE ~a (n.), ~ian (v.), of Gmc origin; related to ~ 1 and the adverb well 1 .