Definition of voluntary
- v. t. - Proceeding from the will; produced in or by an act of
choice.
- v. t. - Unconstrained by the interference of another;
unimpelled by the influence of another; not prompted or persuaded by
another; done of his or its own accord; spontaneous; acting of one's
self, or of itself; free.
- v. t. - Done by design or intention; intentional; purposed;
intended; not accidental; as, if a man kills another by lopping a tree,
it is not voluntary manslaughter.
- v. t. - Of or pertaining to the will; subject to, or
regulated by, the will; as, the voluntary motions of an animal, such as
the movements of the leg or arm (in distinction from involuntary
motions, such as the movements of the heart); the voluntary muscle
fibers, which are the agents in voluntary motion.
- v. t. - Endowed with the power of willing; as, man is a
voluntary agent.
- v. t. - Free; without compulsion; according to the will,
consent, or agreement, of a party; without consideration; gratuitous;
without valuable consideration.
- v. t. - Of or pertaining to voluntaryism; as, a voluntary
church, in distinction from an established or state church.
- n. - One who engages in any affair of his own free will; a
volunteer.
- n. - A piece played by a musician, often extemporarily,
according to his fancy; specifically, an organ solo played before,
during, or after divine service.
- n. - One who advocates voluntaryism.