willingn.1
/ˈwɪlɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈwɪlɪŋ/ 1. The fact of wanting something; desire, inclination. In later use only in collocation with nilling (with additional implication of sense 2). Now archaic.Cf. good willing n. at good adj., n., adv., and int. Compounds 1c.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [noun]
i-willc888
wilningc888
willingeOE
lustc950
listc1220
desire1303
affection1340
desiring1377
appetite1382
envya1400
wishc1430
desideryc1450
stomach1513
affect1531
wilnec1540
desirefulness1548
woulding1549
desirousness1571
ambition1579
lusting1580
listing1587
maw1601
appetition1603
appetence1610
bosoma1616
orexis1619
desirableness1649
appetency1656
would1753
wanting1801
want-to1903
eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) iv. v. 278 Þætte nænig biscopa hine oðrum forbære þurh unrehte willunge [L. per ambitionem].
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) v. pr. ii. l. 4401 In hem also is libertee of willyng and of nillynge.
c1475 (c1420) J. Page Siege of Rouen (Egerton) (1876) 23 He sayde, ‘What ys youre wyllynge?’
1690 J. Norris Christian Blessedness 105 By Impotent willing meaning that natural Inclination or Velleity we have to every Good.
1710 J. Norris Treat. Christian Prudence v. 218 Our willing of Evil is always with a mixture of nilling.
1865 J. M. Neale Hymns Paradise 10 One in willing, one in nilling, Unity their spirits show.
1998 B. Honig in J. B. Landes Feminism, Public & Private 110 Caught in a reflexive, internal, and potentially eternal dynamic of willing and nilling, a dynamic it is incapable of arresting, the will awaits redemption.
2.
a. The action or an act of exercising the will, volition; voluntary choice or determination, intention.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > [noun] > exercise of the will
willOE
willing1340
volition1660
the mind > will > intention > [noun]
willOE
thought?c1225
willing1340
intentionc1430
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 9 Wyþoute greate wille, an willinge, uor to harmi oþren.
c1450 (?c1400) tr. Honorius Augustodunensis Elucidarium (1909) 4 Aungels & men, her þewis, willynges, seiynges.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. ii. 22 What haue we then to thinke of him, whose willings are powers, and whose thoughts are deedes?
1715 R. South 12 Serm. IV. 296 One and the same Mind is both Being, Understanding, and Willing.
1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will i. iv. 27 The very willing is the doing.
1866 H. Bushnell Vicarious Sacrifice ii. ii. 159 All the senses and sentiments, and willings, and works of their life.
1892 Daily News 2 Feb. 6/6 The two first are of human willing; the last is purely..necessary, inevitable.
2000 Jrnl. Relig. Ethics 28 76 Because our willing, as the willing of a self-justifier, is corrupt, even our ‘good’ works are shown to be the sinful products of a lust against God.
b. The action of influencing another person by mere exercise of will (as in hypnotism). Also as modifier, in willing-game.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > [noun] > exercise of the will > influencing another by
willing1844
society > authority > power > influence > [noun] > action or fact of influencing > by mere exercise of will
willing1844
1844 Fraser's Mag. June 692/2 Mere willing without the knowledge of the patient has no influence.
1883 Fortn. Rev. Aug. 263 The well-known drawing-room game of ‘Willing’ (where one finds out a hidden object by means of more or less subtle muscular indications from another).
1883 Chambers's Jrnl. 82 The first division corresponds to the ‘willing-game’ described by Dr. Carpenter.
1911 W. F. Barrett Psychical Res. iv. 44 Some years ago a parlour pastime called the ‘Willing Game’ was a favourite amusement and gave rise to much public discussion.
1968 E. J. Dingwall Abnormal Hypnotic Phenomena IV. 139 One point to which attention was directed and which..was closely connected with the existence of the fluid was that concerned with the alleged necessity of exercising volition and strong concentration during the willing process.
2009 T. Hamilton Immortal Longings iii. 103 Sometimes, but not always, this willing was accompanied by light physical contact.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > command > command or bidding > [noun]
willeOE
i-bodc888
bodea1000
hestc1000
bedec1175
bodewordc1175
device1307
commandmentc1386
assignment1393
hetec1394
commandinga1400
commissionc1400
willinga1425
mandament1442
behesting1582
command1611
assign1633
jussion1773
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 5879 My modir..Nis not all at my willyng Ne doth not all my desiryng.
a1475 Bp. Grossetest's Househ. Stat. (Sloane 1986) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 328 The wyllyng of god to be performed and fulfyllydde.
4. The action of bequeathing by will.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > transfer of property > testamentary disposition > [noun]
bequestc1300
provingc1330
legacy1485
devise1528
bequesting1572
making1621
bequeathmenta1627
bequeathal1642
bequeathing1674
testing1681
testamentationa1797
willing1797
settlement1815
testation1832
devising1868
1797 A. Browne Compend. View Civil Law ii. x. 245 A power of willing ought to be favoured and naturally follows the right of property.
1847 G. Grote Hist. Greece III. ii. xi. 183 Throughout most rude states of society the power of willing is unknown.
2008 T. Dunlap tr. J. Beckert Inherited Wealth iii. 83 The willing of property is at the discretion of the testator.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2021; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
willingadj.adv.n.2
/ˈwɪlɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈwɪlɪŋ/ A. adj.† 2. Desirous of something; inclined, disposed (to do something). Obsolete.
1.
a. Disposed to consent or comply; ready to do something (specified or implied) without reluctance, having no objection; (also, without mention of a particular task or requirement) disposed to do what is asked or needed, ready to be of use or service.
(a) In predicative use with to and infinitive, with clause, or without complement; †also formerly with to and a noun.In quot. 1647 with with: agreeing with, consenting to.
ΚΠ
a1325 Judas Iscariot (Corpus Cambr.) l. 110 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill S. Eng. Legendary (1956) 696 Repentaunt & wyllyngge he was hys lyf to amende.
c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 25 (MED) He cam to this Godryke and mevid hym aftir the Apostle with goode and honeste wordes, oportunely and importunely, by-cause he was nat willynge to yeue.
1534 R. Barnes Supplicacion H. VIII (rev. ed.) sig. C4 Bycause the kynge & his lordes shulde be the wyllynger to take this batayle on them, he sent a commaundment to the bysshops, to rayse..a taxe, for to pay the souldyours with.
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse Pref. sig. Aiv The Souldiors allured with the commodities of the Countries, were made the willinger to the thinge.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iii. iii. 77 He may stay him, mary not without the prince be willing . View more context for this quotation
1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 21 I am perswaded the Devill himselfe was never willing with their proceedings.
1685 R. Baxter Paraphr. New Test. Matt. x. 11 Enquire who is a godly person, willingest to entertain the Gospel.
1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 273 The King was willinger to comply with any thing than this.
1754 J. Shebbeare Marriage Act I. xxx. 180 Mr. Trueman..[fancied] that Mr. Sharply would be very willing of this Union between his Son and his Ward.
1849 C. Dickens David Copperfield (1850) v. 48 ‘Well! If you was writin' to her, p'raps you'd recollect to say that Barkis was willin'; would you.’ ‘That Barkis is willing... Is that all the message?’... ‘Ye—es. Barkis is willin'.’
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §3. 480 The nation was willing to take his obstinacy for firmness.
1964 A. Wilson Late Call iii. 121 Luckily the poor creature was very willing, and there was one rule Sylvia always made—never turn off anyone who shows willing.
2003 Wired May 21/3 There is only a small group of people willing to pay high prices for first-generation technology.
(b) In attributive use, preceding the noun.
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
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18359 Þi wiling merci beris wit-in, And sua þou slockens al vr sin.
1517 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (new ed.) i. 7 To a willyng harte is nought impossible.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) 2 Cor. viii. 12 If there be fyrst a willynge mynde, it is accepted accordynge to thatt a man hath.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. iii. 74 We haue willing Dames enough. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 73 Satan..ready now To stoop with wearied wings, and willing feet On the bare outside of this World. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis viii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 450 Eager of her Charms, He snatch'd the willing Goddess to his Arms.
1721 M. Prior Colin's Mistakes iii. 2 The willing Steed receiv'd her soft Command.
1797 W. Godwin Enquirer i. ix. 82 A willing temper makes every burthen light.
1858 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) III. xiii. 133 Work is done rapidly by willing hands, in the midst of a willing people.
1893 F. C. Selous Trav. S.-E. Afr. xiv. 270 Our men were a good-tempered, willing lot, and gave us no trouble.
2001 S. Walton Out of It (2002) iii. 75 The Temperance movement was very largely about making working-class families more willing participants in the capitalist economy.
b. figurative. Of a thing: compliant, yielding; (of the wind) favourable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [adjective] > easily managed
handsome1440
wieldya1450
maniable1484
willing?a1513
tractable1555
wieldsome1565
manuable1594
manageable1598
handleable1611
subject1619
manuala1631
handy1640
flippant1677
wieldablea1688
clever1715
able1741
habile1741
docile1774
sweet1883
hand-tame1911
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 116 Sum, thocht tham selffis stark..Ar nou maid waek lyk willing wandis.
1688 M. Prior Ode Exod. iii. 14 v Why does He wake the correspondent Moon, and fill her willing Lamp with liquid Light?
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 274 And leaving few behind, We spread our sails before the willing Wind.
1749 W. Shenstone Irregular Ode 85 And some entwin'd the willing sprays, To shield th' illustrious dame's repose.
1844 A. W. Kinglake Eothen i. 9 The willing fume [of the tchibouque] came up, and answered my slightest sigh.
1996 A. Ostriker Crack in Everything i. 14 A yellow light Source came from within...And was pressing up, up Through the willing surfaces.
c. In extended use. Given, offered, performed, or undergone willingly or readily. Now chiefly with abstract nouns such as obedience, participation, sacrifice, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] > to do something > done willingly
freeeOE
willing1531
ungrudgeda1631
unscrupled1665
1531 tr. E. Fox et al. Determinations Moste Famous Vniuersities iv. f. 91v Bothe of them by theyr free and wyllinge promysse, do make them selfe detters.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 757 The people..in a willyng and louyng obedience among themselues.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets vi. sig. B2 That vse is not forbidden vsery, Which happies those that pay the willing lone.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iii. v. 63 We send, To know what willing Ransome he will giue. View more context for this quotation
1673 J. Milton At Vacation Exercise in Poems (new ed.) 66 Held with his melodious harmonie In willing chains and sweet captivitie.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 263 Haste, my dear Father,..And load my Shoulders with a willing Fraight.
1715 D. Defoe Family Instructor I. i. v. 122 Here, Madam, is the willing'st Sacrifice ever I made in my Life.
1814 Ld. Byron Lara ii. iii. 707 With eye, though calm, determined not to spare, Did Lara too his willing weapon bare.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 230 The affection and willing obedience of his subjects.
2019 CIO Mag. (Nexis) 20 May The development of an effective business and implementation plan requires the willing participation of all.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > [adjective]
disposedc1340
willed1417
affecta1425
willinga1425
affectionatec1487
mindedc1487
talenteda1500
well-minded1524
affectioned?1532
affectionated1561
mindful1565
aminded1571
ingineda1583
affected1584
pregnant1604
in the (also a) —— mooda1625
fond1666
apt1677
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [adjective] > desirous
willesfula1250
desirousc1300
wilful1340
desiringc1386
desireda1400
talentivec1400
willinga1425
lusty1493
desiranta1500
desireful?1520
fond1551
lusting1559
desirable1759
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > wishing > [adjective]
willinga1425
wishing1530
wishful1733
a1425 (a1400) Northern Pauline Epist. (1916) 1 Cor. x. 6 (MED) Þise thynges be don to þem in fygure; þat we be not willende of euyl as þei hafe wilned.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 69 Yt were not spedefull to hym..to study in bokes of heuynes & of drede, though he felte hymselfe wyllyng therto.
1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. 435/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II I haue trulie beene the willinger to set downe the same..for that I would not suffer so worthie a man..to be buried in obliuion.
1595 T. Bedingfield tr. N. Machiavelli Florentine Hist. vii. 191 The Pope and the King became more willing one of the others friendship.
1697 tr. Countess D'Aunoy's Trav. (1706) 168 They alledge that the Heat is so excessive, that they are willing to hinder the Sun from coming in, as much as they can.
1825 W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 403 Some little ‘peep-o'-day boy’, willing to take the ‘top of the morning’ before the rest of his compeers.
3. That is so, or is done or maintained, of one's own will; voluntary, intentional, deliberate, wilful.
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
1550 R. Crowley One & Thyrtye Epigrammes sig. Aiiiv To the willinge wicked no prophete shall be sente.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xxi. sig. Cc4v But so by Lelius willing-missing was the odds of the Iberian side.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iii. i. 48 The willing'st sinne I euer yet committed. View more context for this quotation
1876 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest V. xxiii. 331 In all this there was something of the willing delusion of a people that takes its memories for hopes.
1956 E. A. Shils Torment of Secrecy i. 26 Privacy is the voluntary withholding of information reinforced by a willing indifference.
2019 Gatepost (Framingham, Mass.) (Nexis) 3 May 1 We are tired of the indifference and willing ignorance of the University and its administration.
4. Exercising or capable of exercising the will, volitional. Also: conveying the impulses of the will.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > [adjective] > having the faculty of will
voluntary1593
willing1600
volitional1827
voluntative1883
1600 J. Howesoun Short Expos. Epistle of S. John i. sig. A7 Because the workes and actions of conscience doe stand in the vse of reason, it is euident, that therefore it is not placed in the affections or willing parte of the soule, but in the vnderstanding, which hath also two parts.
1760 Universal Mag. Aug. 69/2 As there is no power superior to its own, in point of a willing Being, it is evident that it is free in all it does.
1875 E. White Life in Christ i. i. 8 We know nothing of the post-mortem existence of the thinking willing energy of man.
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xxiv. 35 Ere the wholesome flesh decay, And the willing nerve be numb.
2016 S. Herrmann-Sinai & L. Ziglioli Hegel’s Philos. Psychol. Pref. xii The subject of Hegel's philosophical Psychology is neither soul..nor (self-)consciousness, but an intelligent, knowing and willing mind.
B. adv.
Willingly, consentingly, without reluctance. Also: (in early use) deliberately. Now colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adverb]
to goodeOE
thankc888
yernec888
lieflyc900
lovelyeOE
lustly971
willinglyOE
wilfullyc1000
with (also mid) heart and hand (also hands)OE
fainc1175
lustilya1225
lief1297
yfaȝea1300
blethelyc1300
goodlya1375
blelyc1380
willingc1384
bainc1400
acceptably1479
bainlya1500
cheerfully1523
towardly1523
desirously1531
pronely?1532
fainly1535
wilningly1597
bongre1598
libentiously1606
volently1614
propensely1648
easily1649
with (a) good grace1650
unreluctantly1655
with the best will (in the world)1814
unhesitatingly1829
unqualifyingly1841
unloathly1844
happily1889
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Cor. ix. 17 If I willinge do this thing, I haue mede; sothly if aȝens my wil, dispensacioun [L. dispensatio] is bitake to me.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 2557 Wyllyng, certys, y dyd hyt noght, But for rechelesshepe of þoght.
c1450 Speculum Christiani (Harl. 6580) (1933) 208 He that fallez wylynge and wyttynge in-to blame often and synne, sumtyme not wylynge he schal falle in-to payne.
1585 Sir P. Sidney Lett. in Misc. Wks. (1829) 323 Which I the willinger do becaws I think him a good honest gentleman.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iii. vii. 30 The Swallow followes not Summer more willing, then we your Lordship. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 382 With thy permission then, and thus forewarnd.., The willinger I goe. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 409 Willing we sought your Shores.
1896 ‘G. Setoun’ Robert Urquhart xxvi. 280 I would ha'e strung for it willin'.
1939 T. Burke Abduction 61 Kidnapped me knee-cap! I bet they went willing enough. Young tarts!
2018 @NotASergeant 11 June in twitter.com (OED Archive) Three times tonight criminals were just like ‘oh, you got me’ and went willing into custody.
C. n.2
With the. Someone who is willing; those who are willing.
ΚΠ
1548 R. Crowley Confut. N. Shaxton sig. A.iiiiv To the wyllyng ther is nothyng to hard.
1852 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Mar. 365 For the willing there is ever a way.
1868 J. Ruskin First Notes Princ. Employm. for Destitute & Criminal Classes 5 Aid the willing.
2003 Village Voice (N.Y.) 26 Mar. 32/4 With the ‘Old Europe’ chickening out of a fight in Iraq, Secretary of State Colin Powell promises they will be replaced by 45 members of a new ‘Coalition of the Willing.’
2014 @tanvi_gautam 27 Apr. in twitter.com (OED Archive) The willing will always find an answer. The unwilling will always find an excuse.
Phrases
P1. willing (or) nilling: with or against one's will, willy-nilly. Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > necessity > [adverb] > whether one will or not
would…nouldOE
whether he (etc.) will or nillOE
will I (or) nill I (he, they, etc.)OE
maugre1340
nill he, will hea1400
who(ever) will or nillc1449
bongre maugrec1450
whether‥yea or no (also nay)1515
nolens volens1547
willing or nilling1578
volens nolens1602
willy-nilly1608
nilling, willing1657
nilly-willy1662
bon gré mal gré1818
wilta shalta1824
william-nilliam1907
1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 148 [These] conquered in such sorte the hearts of euery one vnto hym, as willing, nilling, it behoued enuy to hang the heade.
1626 T. Hawkins tr. N. Caussin Holy Court I. v. 488 Arcadius willing, nilling, was constrayned..to signe the petition.
1798 W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. 4 197 And willing or nilling thou'lt come.
1874 A. H. Sayce Princ. Compar. Philol. iii. 100 Every idiom, ancient or modern, has to be brought willing, nilling, under some ‘family’.
1989 Advertiser (Adelaide) (Nexis) 21 Oct. Willing or nilling about Australian music, you will find yourselves seduced into patriotic fervor.
P2. to show willing: see show v. Phrases 18. the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak: see spirit n. Phrases 3. willing suspension of disbelief: see suspension n. 3b.
Compounds
C1. Forming adjectives with the sense ‘that has a willing ——’, by combining with a noun + -ed, as in willing-eyed, willing-handed, willing-hearted. See also willing-minded adj.
ΚΠ
1530 Bible (Tyndale) (Exod. xxxv.) f. xlviv And the men came with the wemen (euen as manye as were willynge harted) and brought bracelettes, earynges, rynges and girdels.
1821 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 400/1 There's plenty o' willing-handed gomerals to cut corn and thrash pea-strae.
1883 Cent. Mag. Jan. 354/1 The younger and stronger were sent before, and only the willing-hearted.
1933 D. Thomas Let. Dec. (1987) 71 Have you remarked upon the terrible young men of this generation, the willing-buttocked, celluloid-trousered, degenerates who are gradually taking the place of the bright young things of even five years ago?
1952 B. Graeme Gateway to Fortune 104 He would..waste many twilight hours in Central Park, trying to make up his mind to try his luck with some of the willing-eyed girls there.
C2.
willing horse n. (in proverbial phrases) applied to a person who is willing to work or to take trouble.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [noun] > trouble taken to accomplish anything > one who > willing to
willing horsea1605
a1605 J. Cooke For Francis Drake (Harl. 540) in W. S. W. Vaux World Encompassed (1854) App. iv. 207 There nedyd no spure to a willing horsse.
1616 T. Draxe Bibliotheca Scholastica 93 All lay load on a willing horse.
1881 Daily News 29 Dec. 5/2 It was probably on the well-known principle of working a willing horse that he was left to labour as an ordinary Judge for fifteen years.
2018 Herald Sun (Melbourne) (Nexis) 14 Oct. 23 The work always comes back to the willing horses and we are thankful that we have those willing horses in rural communities.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2021; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1eOE
adj.adv.n.2a1325