[vol.un.tary] adj [ME, fr. L voluntarius, fr. voluntas will, fr. velle to will, wish--more at will] (14c) 1: proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent
2: unconstrained by interference: self-determining
3: done by design or intention: intentional "~ manslaughter"
4: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will "~ behavior"
5: having power of free choice
6: provided or supported by voluntary action "a ~ organization" 7: acting or done of one's own free will without valuable consideration or legal obligation -- vol.un.tar.i.ly adv -- vol.un.tar.i.ness n syn voluntary, intentional, deliberate, willing mean done or brought about of one's own will. voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion "a voluntary confession". intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved "the intentional concealment of vital information". deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences "deliberate acts of sabotage". willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another "willing obedience".
[2]voluntary n, pl -tar.ies (1598) 1 a: a prefatory often extemporized musical piece b: an improvisatory organ piece played before, during, or after a religious service
2: one who participates voluntarily: volunteer