Webster's English Dictionary

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voluntary

1. vol.un.tary \'va:l-*n-.ter-e-\ aj [ME, fr. L voluntarius, fr. voluntas 
   will, fr. velle to will,] wish - more at WILL 1: proceeding from the will 
   or from one's own choice or consent  2: unconstrained by interference : 
   SELF-DETERMINING  3: done by design or intention : INTENTIONAL {~ 
   manslaught er} 4: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will {~ 
   behavi or} 5: having power of free choice {man is a ~ agent}  6: provided 
   or supported by voluntary action  7: acting or done of one's own free will 
   without valuable consideration or  legal obligation WILLING mean done or 
   brought about on one's own will. VOLUNTARY implies freedom and spontaneity 
   of choice or action without external compulsion, or it may suggest control 
   of the will over actions or movements in contrast with involuntary; 
   INTENTIONAL stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved; DELIBERATE 
   implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences; 
   WILLFUL stresses a refusal to be taught, advised, or commanded; WILLING 
   implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of 
   another SYN syn VOLUNTARY, INTENTIONAL, DELIBERATE, WILLFUL, 
2. voluntary n 1a: a prefatory often extemporized musical piece  1b: an 
   improvisatory organ piece played before, during, or after a religiou s 
   service 2: one who participates voluntarily : VOLUNTEER