VOLUNTEER


Meaning of VOLUNTEER in English

n. & v.

--n.

1. a person who voluntarily undertakes a task or enters military or other service, esp. Mil. hist. a member of any of the corps of voluntary soldiers formerly organized in the UK and provided with instructors, arms, etc., by the State.

2 (usu. attrib.) a self-sown plant.

--v.

1. tr. (often foll. by to + infin.) undertake or offer (one's services, a remark or explanation, etc.) voluntarily.

2 intr. (often foll. by for) make a voluntary offer of one's services; be a volunteer.

Etymology: F volontaire (as VOLUNTARY), assim. to -EER

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.