— involuntarily /in vol"euhn ter'euh lee, -vol'euhn tair"-/ , adv. — involuntariness , n.
/in vol"euhn ter'ee/ , adj.
1. not voluntary; independent of one's will; not by one's own choice: an involuntary listener; involuntary servitude.
2. unintentional; unconscious: an involuntary gesture.
3. Physiol. acting independently of or done or occurring without volition: involuntary muscles.
[ 1525-35; involuntarius. See IN- 3 , VOLUNTARY ]
Syn. 1, 3. See automatic. 2. instinctive. 3. reflex, uncontrolled.
Ant. 2. intentional.