I. ˈwiliŋ, -lēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English willung, from willian to will + -ung -ing
archaic : desire , longing
II. adjective
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from present participle of willen to be willing — more at will I
1. : inclined or favorably disposed in mind : ready
felt willing rather to starve at sea than to confront such perils — R.L.Stevenson
are willing to prefer the better when the best is unattainable — M.R.Cohen
must be willing to be educated — Vera M. Dean
willing and eager to help
mothers are now willing , even anxious, to take their children to the nurses — Margaret Biddle
2. : ready or prompt to act or to respond : not slow, lazy, or reluctant
that instinct which makes each sex … the willing slave of the other — Richard Jefferies
willing workers
a willing horse
turn a willing ear to popular protests — V.L.Parrington
where ears are willing , talk tends to be loud and long — Aldous Huxley
a willing source of information — Paul Moor
wind … increased in strength, urging on the too willing waves — Harper's
3. archaic : desirous , wishful
4. obsolete : deliberate , intentional
5. : done or borne or given or accepted of choice or without reluctance : voluntary
a willing sacrifice
willing obedience
6.
[from present participle of will (III) ]
: of or relating to the will or power of choosing : volitional
the willing faculty
7. Australia : strenuous
a bit willing , but not too bad — G.H.Johnston
Synonyms: see voluntary
III. adverb
archaic : willingly