I. wəl, (ə)l, ə l, ˈwil verb
( past would wəd, (ə)d, ˈwu̇d ; present singular & plural will )
Etymology: Middle English (1st & 3d singular present indicative), from Old English wille (infinitive wyllan ); akin to Old High German wili (3d singular present indicative) wills, Latin velle to wish, will
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
: desire , wish
call it what you will
verbal auxiliary
1. — used to express desire, choice, willingness, consent, or in negative constructions refusal
no one would take the job
if we will all do our best
will you please stop that racket
2. — used to express frequent, customary, or habitual action or natural tendency or disposition
will get angry over nothing
will work one day and loaf the next
3. — used to express futurity
tomorrow morning I will wake up in this first-class hotel suite — Tennessee Williams
4. — used to express capability or sufficiency
the back seat will hold three passengers
5. — used to express probability and often equivalent to the simple verb
that will be the babysitter
6.
a. — used to express determination, insistence, persistence, or willfulness
I have made up my mind to go and go I will
b. — used to express inevitability
accidents will happen
7. — used to express a command, exhortation, or injunction
you will do as I say, at once
intransitive verb
: to have a wish or desire
whether we will or no
Usage: see shall
•
- if you will
II. ˈwil noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English willa will, desire; akin to Old English wille
Date: before 12th century
1. : desire , wish : as
a. : disposition , inclination
where there's a will there's a way
b. : appetite , passion
c. : choice , determination
2.
a. : something desired ; especially : a choice or determination of one having authority or power
b.
(1) archaic : request , command
(2)
[from the phrase our will is which introduces it]
: the part of a summons expressing a royal command
3. : the act, process, or experience of willing : volition
4.
a. : mental powers manifested as wishing, choosing, desiring, or intending
b. : a disposition to act according to principles or ends
c. : the collective desire of a group
the will of the people
5. : the power of control over one's own actions or emotions
a man of iron will
6. : a legal declaration of a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property or estate after death ; especially : a written instrument legally executed by which a person makes disposition of his or her estate to take effect after death
•
- at will
III. ˈwil
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to order or direct by a will
will ed that her property be divided among her children
b. : to dispose of by or as if by a will : bequeath
will ed his entire estate to this wife
2.
a. : to determine by an act of choice
b. : decree , ordain
Providence will s it
c. : intend , purpose
d. : to cause or change by an act of will
believed he could will himself to succeed
also : to try to do so
intransitive verb
1. : to exercise the will
2. : choose
do as you will