— voluntarily /vol'euhn tair"euh lee, vol"euhn ter'-/ , adv. — voluntariness , n.
/vol"euhn ter'ee/ , adj., n., pl. voluntaries .
adj.
1. done, made, brought about, undertaken, etc., of one's own accord or by free choice: a voluntary contribution.
2. of, pertaining to, or acting in accord with the will: voluntary cooperation.
3. of, pertaining to, or depending on voluntary action: voluntary hospitals.
4. Law.
a. acting or done without compulsion or obligation.
b. done by intention, and not by accident: voluntary manslaughter.
c. made without valuable consideration: a voluntary settlement.
5. Physiol. subject to or controlled by the will.
6. having the power of willing or choosing: a voluntary agent.
7. proceeding from a natural impulse; spontaneous: voluntary laughter.
n.
8. something done voluntarily.
9. a piece of music, frequently spontaneous and improvised, performed as a prelude to a larger work, esp. a piece of organ music performed before, during, or after an office of the church.
[ 1350-1400; ME voluntarius, equiv. to volunt ( as ) willingness, inclination (ult. repr. a formation with -tas -TY 2 on the prp. of velle to want, wish; see WILL 1 , -ENT) + -arius -ARY ]
Syn. 1. considered, purposeful, planned, intended, designed. See deliberate. 7. free, unforced, natural, unconstrained. VOLUNTARY, SPONTANEOUS agree in applying to something that is a natural outgrowth or natural expression arising from circumstances and conditions. VOLUNTARY implies having given previous consideration, or having exercised judgment: a voluntary confession; a voluntary movement; The offer was a voluntary one. Something that is SPONTANEOUS arises as if by itself from the nature of the circumstances or condition: spontaneous applause, combustion, expression of admiration.