voluntaryadj.adv.n.
/ˈvɒlənt(ə)ri/, /ˈvɒln̩t(ə)ri/, U.S. /ˈvɑlənˌtɛri/ A. adj.
I. Characterized by free will or choice; freely done or bestowed.
1.
a. Of feelings, etc.: arising or developing in the mind without external constraint; having a purely spontaneous origin or character.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > unintentional or unplanned character > [adjective] > unintentional or involuntary
unviseda1300
unwilful1398
unwilly1398
unbodena1400
voluntarya1450
non-voluntaryc1454
involuntary1531
unwilling1535
unwilleda1540
unmeant1550
unvoluntary1570
uncalleda1586
uncalleda1610
unintended1649
undesigned1651
mechanic1657
automatic1694
unmeaning1698
inadvertent1724
unbidden1726
unintentional1782
unweeting1794
unwitting1818
undeliberate1874
agnomical1881
a1450 Mankind 187 in Macro Plays 8 Yf we wyll mortyfye owur carnall condycyon, Ande owur voluntarye dysyres.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer i. f. cccxxxii Moche comune meyny that haue no consyderacion, but onely to voluntary lustes, withouten reason.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. ii. 10 Albeit we sweare A voluntary zeale, and an vn-urg'd Faith. View more context for this quotation
1633 Bp. J. Hall Occas. Medit. (ed. 3) Ded. sig. A2v The expressions of these voluntary and sudden thoughts of his.
1644 J. Milton Of Educ. 1 That voluntary Idea, which hath long in silence presented it self to me.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Liberty Tho' all natural Inclinations be voluntary, yet they are not all free.
1822 J. MacDonald Mem. J. Benson 167 It requires much voluntary faith to be an infidel.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 74 Unfaithfulness is the voluntary love, as ignorance is the involuntary reception, of a lie.
1884 J. Ruskin Pleas. Learning 78 Were faith not voluntary, it could not be praised.
b.
(a) Of actions: performed or done of one's own free will, impulse, or choice; not constrained, prompted, or suggested by another.Sometimes denoting ‘left to choice’, ‘not required or demanded of one’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [adjective] > proceeding from free will
selflyOE
self-willOE
willesOE
needlessc1225
wilninga1250
wilfulc1374
voluntaryc1449
spontany1532
voluntarious1532
spontaneal1602
voluntaire1615
self-willing1625
ultroneous1637
unimposed1642
elective1643
spontaneous1656
contingent1660
unmechanic1709
volitient1844
unmechanical1865
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 18 Before that..eny voluntarie or wilful assignement of God was ȝouen to the Iewis.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. clviii The Archebysshop..shewyd vnto them seryously the voluntary renounsynge of the Kyng.
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) ii. xix. sig. M.iii Restitucion is..a thing of such necessitie, that in respect of restitucion, almose dede is but voluntarye.
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Dvv That is called voluntarie, which doth betoken any thing done freely.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. i. 16 The lottrie of my destenie Barrs me the right of voluntary choosing. View more context for this quotation
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 7 Thy voluntary wandring, and vnconstrayned exyle.
1673 J. Dryden Amboyna Ep. Ded. sig. A3v This voluntary neglect of Honours, has been of rare Example in the World.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. v. 79 All Wickedness is voluntary, as is implied in its very Notion.
1780 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. (1789) viii. 79 (note) By a voluntary act is meant sometimes, any act, in the performance of which the will has had any concern at all; in this sense it is synonymous to intentional.
1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 333 The horse..throwing high his heels, Starts to the voluntary race again.
1849 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1876) 4th Ser. 82 There must be some voluntary act transgressing some known law or there is no sin.
a1871 G. Grote Fragm. Ethical Subj. (1876) v. 187 Every action is voluntary, wherein the beginning of organic motion is the will of the agent.
(b) Voluntary Service Overseas n. an organization promoting voluntary work by young people (in education, social welfare, etc.) in developing countries; the service so offered or the scheme itself.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > voluntary services
peace corps1868
V.A.D.1915
W.V.S.1939
Voluntary Service Overseas1960
V.S.O.1960
meals on wheels1961
VISTA1964
W.R.V.S.1966
1960 Voluntary Service Overseas 1 Voluntary Service Overseas enables as many as possible of these young people to have this opportunity—and, in meeting the needs of others, to deepen their own experience.
1960 Voluntary Service Overseas 1 Governments and agencies overseas are asking for volunteers to serve as temporary auxiliaries in many fields—social welfare, schools, youth clubs... It is in response to these requests that Voluntary Service Overseas is sending selected volunteers.
1964 M. Dickson World Elsewhere 11 In September 1958 ten young men left Britain for Sarawak. Three flew to Nigeria and two set off for Ghana. All were eighteen years old... They were the spearhead of the scheme which was Voluntary Service Overseas.
1965 Listener 7 Jan. 21/2 One finds British young people doing voluntary service overseas in all sorts of out-of-the-way places.
c. Of oaths, etc.: proceeding from the free, unprompted, or unconstrained will of a person; voluntarily made or given; spec. in Law (cf. A. 1d).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [adjective] > relating to an oath
juratory1553
voluntary1607
juramental1651
jurative1901
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. F2v/2 Assumpsit, is a voluntarie promise made by word.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. iii. 23 Thy voluntary oath Liues in this bosome, deerely cherished. View more context for this quotation
1729 G. Jacob New Law-dict. at Oath A voluntary Oath, by the Consent and Agreement of the Parties, is lawful as well as a compulsory Oath.
1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. 137 [The perjury] is no more penal than in the voluntary extra~judicial oaths.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia III. v. iv. 57 The next day Miss Belfield was to tell her everything by a voluntary promise.
1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. at Voluntary Voluntary affidavit or oath, is one made in an extra-judicial matter.
1840 Penny Cycl. XVI. 382 Oaths may be either voluntary or may be imposed by a political superior.
1883 Cassell's Encycl. Dict. II. ii. at Confession There existed also an ancient practice of voluntary confession in public of private offences and secret sins.
d. Law. Of documents, proceedings, etc. (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [adjective] > relating to voluntary action > of documents, legal proceedings, etc.
voluntarya1661
a1661 J. Glanville Voy. Cadiz (1883) 29 A voluntary certificate from some of the officers..to prove her a defective Shipp.
a1715 W. Salkeld Rep. Cases King's Bench (1724) 3 174 He, as a Purchaser, shall avoid this Conveyance, because it was voluntary, and therefore fraudulent.
1740 J. T. Atkyns Rep. Cases Chancery (1767) II. 91 Even in voluntary settlements, if the words lean more strongly to the one construction than to the other, It must likewise prevail.
1765–8 J. Erskine Inst. Law Scotl. i. ii. §4 Voluntary [jurisdiction] was that which was exercised in matters that admitted of no opposition.
1765–8 J. Erskine Inst. Law Scotl. ii. viii. §17 If the wadsetter receive his money upon this intimation without compulsion,.. the redemption is voluntary.
1804 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. IV. 489 Edward Bussey being possessed of a term for fifty-nine years, by voluntary deed conveyed it to trustees.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) II. 521 The third mode of voluntary partition is, when the eldest makes the division of the lands; in which case she shall choose last.
a1832 A. Polson Eng. Law in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) II. 848/1 A voluntary charter is granted by a superior ex mero motû.
1860 J. J. S. Wharton Law-lexicon (ed. 2) 757/2 Voluntary Answer, one filed by a defendant to a bill in equity, without being called upon to answer by the plaintiff.
1875 K. E. Digby Introd. Hist. Law Real Prop. x. 326 Voluntary conveyances of estates in land, that is, conveyances without any consideration, such as money or marriage.
e. Nautical. (See quot. 1867.)
ΚΠ
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 714 Voluntary charge, a document delivered with the purser's accounts respecting provisions.
2. Physiology. Of bodily actions: regulated or governed by the volitional faculty; subject to the will. (Cf. involuntary adj. 1b.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > bodily movement > [adjective] > voluntary or involuntary
voluntaryc1400
involuntary1840
the world > life > biology > biological processes > movement > voluntary movement > [adjective] > regulated by volitional faculty
voluntaryc1400
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 29 Brawn is maad of fleisch, senewe, & ligamentis, & þei ben instrument [of] voluntarie meuynge.
1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis 6 Voluntary motion depends upon the Nerves.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. vi. 23 Imagination is the first internal beginning of all Voluntary Motion.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Muscle The Muscles of Voluntary Motion..have each of 'em their Antagonist Muscles.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xv. 184 The muscles of voluntary life.
1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect Introd. ii. 44 The Spinal Cord..is necessary to sensation and to voluntary movement (movement from feeling).
1881 St. G. Mivart Cat 124 Amongst the voluntary movements are the various movements of the several members.
3. in extended use.1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 10 The dead are..laid to sleep in a neat..dormitory, his Armolets, Bracelets, and voluntary shackles accompany him.1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 38 Many voluntary rings and fetters of Brasse.
a. Of conditions, etc.: assumed or adopted voluntarily or by free choice; freely chosen or undertaken.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [adjective] > assumed or adopted by free will
voluntary1426
1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 22714 Kome fforthe, and se an exanplayre Off poverte not voluntarye.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) ii. v. 65 Scipion of affrique..was so poure of voluntarie pouerte yt..he was buried at ye dispencis of ye comyn good.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) i. 45 b The companie which we come into by chance, consisteth of many persons, but yt which is voluntarie, which we ought to couet, containeth but few folke in it.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iv. xxxi. 154 Hee ended hys dayes in voluntarie exyle.
1611 Bible (King James) Coloss. ii. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward, in a voluntarie humilitie. View more context for this quotation
1622 T. Scott Belgicke Pismire 1 The Creatures subjected to his gouernment, in their voluntarie obedience.
1752 E. Young Brothers iii. i I pretend 'twas voluntary flight To save a brother's blood.
1759 S. Johnson Prince of Abissinia II. xxviii*. 23 They..discover what nothing but voluntary blindness had before concealed.
1847 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Reformation in Germany (ed. 2) III. 85 The inhabitants of the town and country took a voluntary share in all the changes.
1877 M. Oliphant Makers of Florence (ed. 2) xv. 386 His exile was voluntary, not forced like Dante's.
b. Brought about by one's own choice or deliberate action; self-inflicted, self-induced.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [adjective] > brought about by free will
unset1547
voluntary1548
self-set1593
self-imposed1657
unprovidential1693
self-induced1796
undestined1827
the mind > will > intention > [adjective] > performed with intention > deliberately brought about
voluntary1548
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) at Voluntarius Mors voluntaria, voluntarie death.
1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. 246 (margin) Voluntarie death ought not to be attempted of any wise man.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 126 These make profession of voluntarie death: and..when they are disposed to die at any time, they make a great funeral fire [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 299 I haue made strong proofe of my Constancie, Giuing my selfe a voluntary wound Heere, in the Thigh. View more context for this quotation
1781 W. Cowper Truth 101 His voluntary pains, severe and long, Would give a barb'rous air to British song.
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 61 A law to contravene Voluntary passage from this life.
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn I. ix. 64 One of those creatures..who, in that age, so often took refuge from a depraved life in a voluntary death.
c. Entered into of free choice; also spec. (see quot. 1889).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [adjective] > entered into by free will
voluntarya1625
unspurred1865
a1625 H. Hobart Rep. (1641) 209 We know well that the Primitive Church..were but voluntary Congregations of Beleevers.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 158 In some districts..the ministers formed themselves into voluntary associations, for the purpose of mutual help and counsel.
1889 Cent. Dict. at Association Voluntary association, in law, a society which is unincorporated, but is not a partnership, in that the members are not agents for one another.
4.
a. Done of deliberate intent or purpose; designed, intentional.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > [adjective] > performed with intention
bethoughtc1200
expressa1400
wilfula1400
purposedc1422
purpensed1436
malice prepensed1454
aforethought1472
studiedc1475
setc1485
voluntary1495
deliberate?1527
willing1550
witting1553
propensed1560
fore-intendeda1586
affected1586
designed1586
determinate1586
intended1592
deliberated1594
uncasual1614
recollecteda1616
resolved1624
industriousa1628
intentionate1631
pre-intended1636
advised1642
malice prepense1647
sedentary1647
propense1650
consultive1651
(crime, evil, etc.) of forethought1692
conscious1726
intentionala1729
systematic1746
studious1750
systematical1750
prepensive1752
advertent1832
self-conscious1832
volitive1839
designful1852
purposeful1853
purposive1864
thought-controlled1926
(a)
(b)1530–1 Act 22 Hen. VIII c. 9 §1 Consyderyng that..voluntary murders [are] moste highly to be detested and abhorred.a1602 W. Perkins 1st Pt. Cases of Conscience (1604) 18 If a man be lopping a tree, and his axe head fall from the helue,..and kills another passing by; here is indeede manslaughter, but no voluntarie murther.1495 Rolls of Parl. VI. 488/1 She theryn [sc. in lands devised to her] doyng noe voluntary Waste ne Destruccion.
1528–30 tr. T. Littleton Tenures (new ed.) f. vi If the lesse at wyll make voluntarye wast, as in pullynge downe of houses, or in cuttynge or fellynge of trees.
1766 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. 281 Waste is either voluntary, which is a crime of commission, as by pulling down a house; or it is permissive.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 714 Voluntary stranding, the beaching or running a vessel purposely aground to escape greater danger.
b. Law. Of escapes: deliberately permitted or connived at.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [adjective] > permitted or allowed > deliberately permitted
voluntary1643
1643 W. Young Vade Mecum 93 Voluntary [escape] is when one hath arrested another for felony, or other crime, and doth afterwards suffer him to goe whether he will.
1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. 130 Voluntary escapes, by consent and connivance of the officer, are a much more serious offence.
1797 T. E. Tomlins Jacob's Law-dict. at Escape If the marshal of the King's Bench..or any other who hath the keeping of prisons in fee, suffer a voluntary escape, it is a forfeiture of the office.
5. Of gifts, etc.: freely or spontaneously bestowed, rendered, or made; contributed voluntarily or by reason of generous or charitable motives.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > [adjective] > giving or given freely
self-willingOE
thankfulc1380
free?c1430
free-willing1535
gratuit1550
voluntary1580
gratuital1597
unpurchased1665
unbargained1839
handout1910
the mind > will > free will > [adjective] > relating to voluntary action > freely bestowed
voluntary1580
1580 G. Harvey Let. to Spenser in E. Spenser Poet. Wks. (1912) 627/2 A small voluntarie Supplement of his owne..in commendation of hir..thrice excellent Maiestie.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. ii. xvii. §8. 490 He exhorted all others to a voluntary contribution.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xlii. 287 A common stock of mony, raised out of the voluntary contributions of the faithfull.
1682 Penn in Clarkson Mem. (1813) I. 321 Let the Lord have a voluntary share of your income for the good of the poor.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Charity Schools erected and maintain'd in various Parishes, by the voluntary Contributions of the Inhabitants.
1797 E. Burke Lett. Peace Regic. France iii, in Wks. (1815) VIII. 359 Nor is it every contribution, called voluntary, which is according to the free will of the giver.
1801 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1800 Misc. Tracts 335/1 Neither shall any subsidy be exacted from them,..what they furnish shall be voluntary.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) III. 46 The clergy were supported by the voluntary offerings of their flocks.
1845 Encycl. Metrop. XIII. 918/2 Voluntary contributions in aid of the national resources.
1897 Westm. Gaz. 2 Mar. 2/3 You have got to go to the school whether you like to or not, whilst the ‘voluntary’ part of the maintenance is just twopence out of every shilling.
II. That acts freely or without constraint, and related uses.† 8. Favourably inclined or disposed (to do something); willing, ready. Obsolete.absolute.1611 Bible (King James) Psalms xlvii. 9 (margin) The voluntarie of the people are gathered vnto the people of the God of Abraham.in extended use.1621 G. Sandys tr. Ovid First Five Bks. Metamorphosis i. 15 Other Creatures tooke their numerous birth And figures, from the voluntary Earth.1648 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple (ed. 2) 5 That King..That thus can boast to be Waited on by a wandring mine, A voluntary mint, that strowes Warme silver showers, where ere he goes.
6. † a. Of the will, etc.: free, unforced, unconstrained. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [adjective]
voluntary1508
libre1599
indetermined1628
1508 J. Fisher Treat. Penyt. Psalmes sig. xxv We knowe..that almyghty god, of his owne voluntary wyll and gracyous volunty..redemed vs.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccvi Duke Maurice serued themperour..of hys owne voluntarye mynde.
1565 A. Golding tr. Caesar Martiall Exploytes in Gallia i. f. 33v Consideryng he offered of his own voluntary wil, the thing he hadde before denied when it was requested.
b. voluntary faculty n. the will.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > [noun]
hearteOE
willOE
wilhede1340
volition1738
voluntary faculty1867
1867 J. Alden Elem. Intell. Philos. xxvi. 261 By the voluntary faculty, or the will, we mean simply the capacity of the mind to perform acts of volition.
7. † b. Serving as a volunteer soldier; that is a volunteer; also, composed of volunteers. Obsolete.
a. Of persons: that is such of one's own accord or free choice; acting voluntarily, willingly, or spontaneously in a specified capacity; also, endowed with the faculty of willing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > [adjective] > having the faculty of will
voluntary1593
willing1600
volitional1827
voluntative1883
the mind > will > free will > [adjective] > relating to voluntary action > volunteer (of persons)
voluntary1593
volunteer1661
volunteering1797
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. iii. 52 God did not worke as a necessary, but a voluntary agent.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iii. v. 151 That thou wilt be a voluntarie Mute to my designe. View more context for this quotation
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iii. xx. 205 No pity is to be shown to such voluntary cripples.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 61 Sending thee Mans Friend, his Mediator, his design'd Both Ransom and Redeemer voluntarie . View more context for this quotation
1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will ii. iv. 50 The Soul is an active Being in Nothing further than it is a voluntary or elective Being.
1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. ii. 43 These voluntary exiles were engaged, for the most part, in the occupations of commerce.
1868 T. H. Huxley Lay Serm. (1870) iii. 46 The greatest voluntary wanderers and colonists the world has ever seen.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed forces > [adjective] > volunteer
goodwilly1533
voluntary1586
volunteer1662
society > armed hostility > military organization > enlistment or recruitment > [adjective] > relating to voluntary service > serving as volunteer
voluntary1586
volunteer1653
volunteering1797
society > armed hostility > military organization > enlistment or recruitment > [adjective] > relating to voluntary service > composed of volunteers
voluntary1586
volunteer1662
1586 in Acts Privy Council (1897) XIV. 55 A Commission..to levie..the number of 150 voluntarie footemen.
1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons Ded. 5 b The souldiors thereby being made voluntary, haue obeyed their Captaines no otherwise than hath pleased themselues.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. True Hist. Siege Ostend 30 The Arch-duke had caused..a volontarie Gentleman..to be put in prison.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. viii. 350 I left Mr. Bruce with a Galley Captaine a voluntary Souldier.
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. vi. 102 Sr Nicholas Slanning's, and Colonel Trevannion's Voluntary Regiments.
c. poetic. Of a sword: offered freely or willingly in aid of some cause.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [adjective] > relating to voluntary action > volunteer (of things)
voluntarya1771
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > cut or thrust with sword > [adjective] > used willingly
voluntarya1771
a1771 T. Gray Epit. Sir W. Williams in Poems (1775) 62 At Aix his voluntary sword he drew, There first in blood his infant honor seal'd.
1808 W. Scott Marmion iv. Introd. 171 Eleven years we now may tell, Since..our hand First drew the voluntary brand.
d. voluntary patient n. one who enters a psychiatric hospital without being committed to it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > patient > [noun] > in hospital > of Bedlam or lunatic asylum > voluntary
voluntary patient1930
1930 Daily Express 6 Sept. 9/4 Instructions sent by the Board of Control to local authorities regarding the working of the Mental Treatment Act (1930) stipulate that ‘mental hospital’ is to be substituted for ‘asylum’, and ‘voluntary patient’ is to be used instead of ‘voluntary boarder’.
1943 G. Greene Ministry of Fear iii. i. 167 If only someone would complain—they are all voluntary patients.
1979 J. Thomson Deadly Relations xiii. 189 I had a nervous breakdown... I..was sent to a clinic..as a voluntary patient.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective]
freeeOE
well-willingOE
readyc1175
fainc1275
buxoma1300
prestc1300
liefc1325
rifec1390
willyc1390
baina1400
willinga1400
listyc1440
towardc1440
appliable1449
pronea1450
wilfulc1460
prompt?a1475
content1477
towardly1513
contenteda1525
towards1525
fond1529
comingc1576
unrefusinga1586
open-armed1594
voluntary1598
gainsome1629
easy1653
unreluctant1654
nothing loath1667
applicable1702
irreluctanta1706
unhesitating1753
unloath1861
prone-minded1869
1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. f. iv I am so voluntarye to communicate the same vnto certayne of my goode frendes.
1638 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 133 The greater parte of the Common Councell..beinge all voluntary tendered to lend [to] the towne for the expedicion of the towne's business att London.
1668 A. Marvell Let. 28 Nov. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 81 He should be so much more at liberty to show how voluntary & affectionate he was toward your Corporation.
1768 H. Walpole Hist. Doubts Pref. p. xv When a successful king is chief justice, historians become a voluntary jury.
a1771 T. Gray Agrippina in Poems (1775) 129 When yet a stranger To adoration,..and obsequious vows From voluntary realms.
9.
a. Of institutions: maintained or supported solely or largely by the freewill offerings or contributions of members or subscribers, and free from State interference or control; spec. in Education with reference to schools, etc., maintained by voluntary bodies.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [adjective] > voluntary
voluntary1745
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > independence > [adjective] > free from state control
voluntary1745
society > education > place of education > school > [adjective] > endowed or public
public school1806
voluntary1837
founded1895
public-schoolish1930
public-schooly1930
1745 Bp. J. Butler Serm. in Wks. (1874) II. 277 The education of poor children was all along taken care of by voluntary charities.
1837 J. R. McCulloch Statist. Acct. Brit. Empire II. v. i. 491 (heading) Private or Voluntary Schools.
1867 Chambers's Encycl. IX. 647/1 The United Presbyterian Church is..not only in practice, but also in theory, a voluntary church.
1868 Chambers's Encycl. X. 651/1 They held that the same objections did not apply to voluntary organisations [for educational purposes].
1944 Act 7 & 8 Geo. VI c. 31 §8 Primary and secondary schools maintained by a local education authority, not being nursery schools or special schools, shall, if established by a local education authority..be known as county schools and, if established otherwise than by such an authority, be known as voluntary schools.
1969 L. Tinkham in A. Cockburn & R. Blackburn Student Power 84 There are now about one hundred Local Education Authority colleges and half as many independent voluntary colleges.
1976 Star (Sheffield) 29 Nov. 9/1 Pupils will be transferred to the Perlethorpe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School.
b. Of or pertaining to, concerned or connected with, voluntaryism in respect of the Church or educational institutions.
ΚΠ
1834 Graham in C. S. Parker Life & Lett. (1907) I. 198 I cannot favour in the least ‘the Voluntary Principle’.
1867 Chambers's Encycl. IX. 646/1 A great controversy..known as the Voluntary Controversy (1829–1834).
1868 Chambers's Encycl. X. 23/2 An important article in the Voluntary creed.
1891 E. Kinglake Austral. at Home 51 The voluntary system..is almost universal in Australia. The clergyman is the servant of his congregation, and must please them or go.
c. Of persons: advocating or supporting the voluntary principle as opposed to State establishment and control.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > independence > [adjective] > free from state control > of or relating to principle of
voluntary1835
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > independence > [adjective] > free from state control > advocating
voluntary1835
1835 C. J. Brown Church Establishm. iv. 15 Voluntary Churchmen, out of an Establishment, talk of the independence of the Church—our forefathers, within one, bled and died for it.
1868 Chambers's Encycl. X. 24/1 Those known as Voluntary educationists reject the idea of any national system.
10.
a. Of muscles, etc.: acting or moving in response to the volition; directing or controlling voluntary movements.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > movement > voluntary movement > [adjective] > acting or moving in response to volition
voluntary1788
1788 Encycl. Brit. I. 702/1 The motions.., in a natural and healthy state, are subject to the will, and for this reason they are called voluntary muscles.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xv. 186 A debility of the voluntary muscles.
1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Voluntary nerve, nerve distributed to voluntary muscle.
1884 Pop. Sci. Monthly June 174 We see here that atrophy begins in the most voluntary limb, the arm.
b. Physiology. (See quot. 1860.)
ΚΠ
1860 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci. 1337/1 Voluntary Motor Power,..the power exercised by the brain and nerves in volition, in distinction from the excito-motor power, or that which is peculiar to the spinal marrow and its nerves.
III. Growing spontaneously or without restraint.† 11. Growing wild or naturally; of spontaneous growth. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > wild and cultivated plants > [adjective] > wild or not cultivated
wildc725
untameda1340
unsownc1374
unplanteda1382
savagea1500
natural1526
self-sowed1597
self-sown1608
maiden1616
voluntary1620
spontaneous1665
uncultivated1697
wilding1697
volunteer1794
uncultured1804
agrarian1851
self-raised1852
1620 T. Venner Via Recta vii. 130 The wilde or voluntary Strawberries, that I may so terme them.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 4 Feeding on such homely, and voluntary diet, as that wilde place would afford.
1718 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad IV. xiv. 396 Glad Earth perceives, and from her Bosom pours Unbidden Herbs and voluntary Flow'rs.
B. adv.
= voluntarily adv.In early use perhaps partly after Latin voluntāriē.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [adverb]
freelyeOE
wilfullyc1000
by one's willOE
of oneselfOE
self-willesOE
of one's own willOE
willyOE
with one's willc1175
voluntarilyc1374
wilfulc1380
of one's own heada1393
willea1400
willilya1400
of (free) voluntyc1402
of or at one's (own) voluntyc1402
of one's own motion1419
of (also by, with) one's (own) goodwill?a1425
on one's own heada1425
of (also by, on, upon) one's own accorda1450
activelyc1454
willinglyc1475
voluntary1480
liberallya1500
of one's own swinge1548
voluntariously1550
voluntarlyc1568
for favour1574
at voluntary1585
of, out of, upon, or at (a person's) own voluntary1585
selfly1595
motu proprio1603
ultroneously1627
unimposedly1647
spontaneously1660
needlessly1710
unmechanically1764
1480 Cov. Leet Bk. 435 All þe forseid persones..cam voluntarye, & seid openly ther to þe seid Maire, þat [etc.].
1562 in F. J. Furnivall Child-marriages, Divorces, & Ratifications Diocese Chester (1897) 75 The said Henrie did neuer lye with the said Mavde, nor did cohabete voluntarie together.
c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 34 One of them voluntarie profered to goe with him into Englande.
1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. d 4 b He did this voluntarie, according to the example of the ancient Decii.
1632 J. Hayward in tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena Transl. to Rdr. sig. A4v In excuse of my not voluntary undergoing..the burthen of this Translation.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 394 If of that pow'r I bring thee voluntary What I might have bestow'd on whom I pleas'd. View more context for this quotation
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes iii. 145 All should voluntary pay them in their Offerings at the Church.
1769 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad. (1876) ii. 322 To go voluntary to a tribunal where he knows he must be humbled.
C. n.
I. Free will or choice; something done or created spontaneously or without direction.† 1. Free will or choice; = volunty n. In the phrases of, out of, upon, or at (a person's) own voluntary, at voluntary.† 3. A voluntary oath. Obsolete. rare.† 4. An occurrence or event due to some person's voluntary action. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [adverb]
freelyeOE
wilfullyc1000
by one's willOE
of oneselfOE
self-willesOE
of one's own willOE
willyOE
with one's willc1175
voluntarilyc1374
wilfulc1380
of one's own heada1393
willea1400
willilya1400
of (free) voluntyc1402
of or at one's (own) voluntyc1402
of one's own motion1419
of (also by, with) one's (own) goodwill?a1425
on one's own heada1425
of (also by, on, upon) one's own accorda1450
activelyc1454
willinglyc1475
voluntary1480
liberallya1500
of one's own swinge1548
voluntariously1550
voluntarlyc1568
for favour1574
at voluntary1585
of, out of, upon, or at (a person's) own voluntary1585
selfly1595
motu proprio1603
ultroneously1627
unimposedly1647
spontaneously1660
needlessly1710
unmechanically1764
(a)
(b)1590 R. Greene Neuer too Late i. 42 Womens flatteries [were] too forceable to resist at voluntarie.1591 R. Greene Second Pt. Conny-catching sig. C2v He began to..rap out goggs Nownes, and his pronouns, while at voluntarye he had sworne through the eight parts of speech in the Accidence.1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xix. 23 b Of theyr owne voluntarie [they] came to surrender themselues.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xx. 25 The offer [was] made vppon his owne voluntary.
1590 R. Greene Mourning Garment 27 If you were to chuse husbandes at your owne voluntarie.
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. ii. 16 After this the Spartans,..out of their own voluntary, inuaded the borders of their Empire.
a1617 P. Baynes Entire Comm. Epist. Paul to Ephesians (1643) 317 How canst thou,..out of thy voluntary, converse with them who are not sanctified?
1633 J. Done tr. ‘Aristeas’ Aunc. Hist. Septuagint 59 Vppon his owne voluntary hee came often to visite the Workes.
2. † a. Music added at the will of the performer to a piece played or sung. Obsolete.figurative and in extended use.1603 J. Hind Mirrour Worldly Fame v, in Harleian Misc. (1811) VIII. 40 Dancing is the voluntary, which is played before a passage is made to unlawful desires.1629 J. Gaule Distractions 155 Like a fantasticke Musician, he chiefly pleases himselfe; while he leaues the Grounds, to run upon the Voluntaries.1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica ii. viii. 255 The Lark and the Thrush sung their Voluntaries.1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 504. ⁋1 These can..say you are dull to-day, and laugh a Voluntary to put you in humour.1795 E. Burke Let. to W. Elliot in Wks. (1842) II. 240 I have been told of the voluntary, which, for the entertainment of the house of lords, has been lately played by his Grace.1814 W. Scott Waverley II. xx. 311 He..ran off in a wild voluntary of fanciful mirth. View more context for this quotation1881 D. G. Rossetti House of Life ix This harp still makes my name its voluntary.figurative.1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters xvii. 448 This scene..will form a choice voluntary as conclusion to our homily.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > [noun] > music added at will
voluntary1565
1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare iii. 152 This is the plaine songe, and may wel stande for the grounde: the rest is altogeather discant, and vaine voluntary, and the moste parte out of tuene.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 126 To make two parts vpon a plainesong is more hard then to make three parts into voluntary.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 126 Rules which may serue him both for descant and voluntary.
b. A musical piece or movement played or sung spontaneously or of one's free choice, esp. by way of prelude to a more elaborate piece, song, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > type of piece > [noun] > impromptu
fancy1577
voluntary1598
impromptu1880
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Preludio, a proheme in musicke, a voluntary before the song.
1629 J. Ford Lovers Melancholy i. 6 Vpon his Instrument he playes so swiftly, So many voluntaries, and so quicke.
1654 J. Playford Breefe Introd. Skill Musick 19 Hee with his Harp..ending his excellent voluntary with some choice Fancy upon this Phrygian Mood.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory (1905) iii. xix. 154/2 The seuerall Beates or points of warre are these... 4. A Voluntary before the March.
a1753 R. Newton tr. Theophrastus Characters (1754) 7 Something in the nature of a flourish, or of a voluntary before the tune.
1785 T. Potter Moralist II. 134 He took up his flute, and touched a few notes of the voluntary he had heard the night before.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair xlviii. 432 Sitting down to the piano, she rattled away a triumphant voluntary on the keys.
c. esp. A piece or solo, usually consisting of two or more movements, played upon the organ before, during, or after any office of the Church; also, the music for this. in-voluntary, out-voluntary, those respectively played at the beginning and close of a religious service.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > music on specific instrument > [noun] > keyboard music > on organ
voluntary1712
organ music1834
organry1850
pedal entry1914
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 503. ⁋2 Now the Organ was to play a Voluntary, and she..kept time..with some Motion of her Head.
1731 Brit. Patent 527 (1857) 1 All psalm tunes, fuges, voluntarys, and anthems that are usually sung in churches or chappells.
1779 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 69 193 Several voluntaries which he heard..the organist play at the Cathedral.
1786 T. Busby Compl. Dict. Music (at cited word) The voluntary was originally so called, because its performance, or non-performance, was at the option of the organist.
1837 T. Hood Ode R. Wilson 398 Let the solemn, swelling, organ greet, With Voluntaries meet, The willing advent of the rich and poor.
1870 R. Anderson Hist. Missions Amer. Board II. xxxviii. 344 A voluntary skillfully played..on the powerful organ belonging to the church.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [noun] > solemn > other types
voluntary1593
assertory oath1617
bribery oath1734
Hippocratic oath1747
ironclad oath1864
tennis court oath1893
loyalty oath1952
1593 T. Bilson Perpetual Govt. Christes Church 270 In matters of religion that touch the peace and safetie of the whole Church of Christ, do you looke your voluntarie should bee receiued without all authoritie or testimonie to warrant it?
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [noun] > voluntarism > occurrence due to voluntary action
voluntary1652
1652 J. Gaule Πυς-μαντια 83 Casualties, and voluntaries, whose events are not so much as probable; as not having any such causes as aforesaid.
5. An extempore, optional, or voluntary piece of writing or composition.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > a written composition > [noun] > extempore
schediasm1656
voluntary1690
1690 W. Temple Ess. Poetry in Wks. (1720) I. 245 The Priapeia..were little Voluntaries or Extemporaries, written upon the ridiculous Wooden Statues of Priapus.
1801 W. Taylor in J. W. Robberds Mem. W. Taylor (1843) I. 387 If I get Phillips to receive his voluntaries in the Monthly Magazine, he..will take the less pains.
1860 R. B. Mansfield School Life Winchester Coll. (1870) 107 Præfects and Senior part also were encouraged to write..a copy of verses on any subject selected by themselves, which was called a ‘Voluntary’.
1876 J. R. Lowell Among my Bks. 2nd Ser. 206 At school he wrote some task-verses..and also some voluntaries of his own.
6. A voluntary contribution.
ΚΠ
a1849 J. Keegan Legends & Poems (1907) 80 The heap [of stones]..at last assumed a size sufficiently large to attract the attention of every person who went the way, who in their turn, added their ‘voluntary’ to the pile.
7. A parting of a rider from his horse without sufficient cause; an unwarranted fall. Frequently to cut a voluntary.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > [noun] > fall from horse
plumper1810
voluntary1863
crumpler1883
1863 G. A. Lawrence Border & Bastille ii. 33 A conscript, who could keep his saddle, through an entire day, without ‘taking a voluntary’, was considered..a credit to the regiment.
1883 M. E. Kennard Right Sort xxi They will say I cut a voluntary... The stirrup-leather alone was to blame.
1890 Field 8 Feb. 177 The number of ‘voluntaries’ which are ever taking place in the hunting field.
8. A voluntary examination.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > theology > [noun] > examination
voluntary1894
1894 J. Payn Gleams of Memory 75 As an initial step to my becoming a divine, it was..necessary to pass ‘the Voluntary’—a theological examination in my case very inappropriately named.
II. A person who acts by free will or choice, and related uses.† 9. One voluntarily, and usually without pay, serving as a soldier in a campaign, battle, etc.; = volunteer n. 1. Obsolete.In very frequent use from 1600 to 1645.figurative.1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus ii. 6 Let them now serue as voluntaries vnder the Captaine Iesus Christ.in extended use.1627 J. Taylor Armado sig. A2v There were 7. other needlesse Ships which were in the nature of voluntaries, or hangers on vpon the Nauy.† 11. One who is willing or ready to give way or withdraw. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > soldier by type of service > [noun] > volunteer
adventurer1548
voluntary1601
reformado1616
volunteera1618
reformadec1645
1601 Ld. Mountjoy in F. Moryson Itinerary (1617) ii. 138 Diuers worthy men..haue followed the wars here as voluntaries to their very great expence.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 67 Rash, inconsiderate, fiery voluntaries,..Haue sold their fortunes at their natiue homes,..To make a hazard of new fortunes heere. View more context for this quotation
1622 F. Markham Five Decades Epist. of Warre i. vii. 25 Those Souldiers, which we call by the name of Voluntaries, being a ranke of men which voluntarily, and of their owne meere motion without any constraint at all, doe betake themselues vnto the Warres.
1636 J. Winthrop Hist. New Eng. (1825) (modernized text) I. 195 The soldiers who went were all voluntaries, and had only their victuals provided, but demanded no pay.
1670 J. Milton Hist. Brit. v. 219 Turkitel the Dane..got leave of the King, with as many voluntaries as would follow him, to pass into France.
10. One who undertakes or engages in any kind of service, enterprise, etc., of his own choice or free-will; = volunteer n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > [noun] > voluntarism > volunteer
voluntary1610
volunteer1648
1610 Bible (Douay) II. 1 Macc. ii. 42 Then there was gathered to them the synagoge of the Assideans.., everie voluntarie in the law.
1612 H. Ainsworth Bk. Psalmes Englished with Annot. cx. 3 Thy people shall be voluntaries in the day of thy power.
1628 G. Wither Britain's Remembrancer iii. 1507 That none durst become a voluntary, In such a Fire, for conscience sake, to tarie.
a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 146 Unto Esdras was granted..licence to goe up unto Jerusalem, to carry with him all such voluntaries as would goe.
ΚΠ
1620 Horæ Subseciuæ 25 If..they..could haue beene content to withdraw..it would haue expressed an excellent temper, and moderation. But few such voluntaries bee found.
12. One who holds or advocates that the Church (or educational institutions) should be maintained by voluntary contributions and be independent of State connection or support. Cf. voluntaryist n.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > independence > [noun] > freedom from state control > one who advocates
voluntary1834
voluntaryist1842
1834 Tait's Edinb. Mag. New Ser. 1 418/1 The Governor was a Voluntary; but Lord Goderich granted [the congregation] the L. 100 from the colonial revenue.
1843 E. Miall in Nonconf. 3 241 Where the truth has got hold of a man it makes him a real voluntary.
1868 Chambers's Encycl. X. 651/1 Obstacles to the establishment of a national system [of education] more formidable than the opposition of the Voluntaries.
Draft additions July 2002
voluntary simplicity n. a philosophy or way of life that rejects material acquisition in favour of moral and spiritual values, and is characterized by environmental responsibility, community cooperation, and minimal consumption; the adoption of such a lifestyle (to a greater or lesser degree), esp. in order to lead a less stressful life or manage on a lower income; cf. downshift v. 3.
ΚΠ
1917 E. B. Holt & W. James tr. T. Flournoy Philos. of William James viii. 128 This indispensable moral equivalent [to war] he descried in a voluntary simplicity, in the steadfast renunciation of the luxuries and superfluities of life.
1936 R. Gregg in Visva-bharati Q. 2 27 Voluntary simplicity involves both inner and outer condition. It means singleness of purpose, sincerity and honesty within, as well as avoidance of exterior clutter, of many possessions irrelevant to the chief purpose of life.
1977 D. Elgin & A. Mitchell in CoEvolution Q. Summer 4/1-2 Beneath this popular image of simple living, we think there is a major social movement afoot... This is the movement towards ‘voluntary simplicity’—a phrase we have borrowed from Richard Gregg... We think that voluntary simplicity may prove an increasingly powerful economic, social, and political force over the coming decade.
1996 Oxf. Univ. Gaz. 29 Feb. 814/2 ‘Voluntary simplicity’ was described as a more radical and ecologically-based form of downshifting.
Draft additions September 2017
voluntary manslaughter n. Law a type of criminal homicide in which the killing is intentional but is distinguished from murder due to mitigating circumstances (such as certain kinds of provocation or self-defence).In early use perhaps not a fixed collocation.
ΚΠ
1625 A. Darcie tr. Pope Pius V in tr. W. Camden Annales i. 171 Dispence in cases of irregularity, except in poynts proceeding from voluntary manslaughter.
1771 W. Eden Princ. Penal Law xix. 205 Voluntary manslaughter..ensueth most frequently upon some provocation given.
1887 North-eastern Daily Gaz. (Middlesbrough) 18 Aug. If they believed there was a quarrel and provocation then it would be an act of voluntary manslaughter.
2016 Tribune-Rev. (Greensburg, Pa.) (Nexis) 22 June [He] pleaded guilty..to voluntary manslaughter for asphyxiating his wife during a fight.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1920; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.adv.n.c1400