ˈvɔləntərɪ adj. & n. --adj. 1
done,
acting, or
able to
act of one's
own free will;
not constrained or
compulsory,
intentional (a voluntary gift). 2
unpaid (voluntary work). 3 (of an institution) supported by voluntary contributions. 4
Brit. (of a school)
built by a voluntary
institution but maintained by a
local education authority. 5
brought about, produced,
etc., by voluntary
action. 6 (of a
movement,
muscle, or limb) controlled by
the will. 7 (of a
confession by a criminal) not prompted by a
promise or
threat. 8
Law (of a
conveyance or disposition)
made without return in
money or
other consideration. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a an
organ solo played
before,
during, or
after a
church service. b the
music for this. c
archaic an
extempore performance esp. as a
prelude to other music. 2 (in competitions) a
special performance left to the performer's
choice. 3
hist. a
person who holds
that the Church or schools
should be
independent of the
State and supported by voluntary contributions. øVoluntary
Aid Detachment (in the UK) a
group of organized voluntary first-aid and
nursing workers. Voluntary Service
Overseas a
British organization promoting voluntary
work in
underdeveloped countries. øøvoluntarily adv. voluntariness n. [ME f. OF volontaire or L voluntarius f. voluntas will]
