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Word Study
will
CIDE DICTIONARY
will, n. [OE. wille, AS. willa; akin to OFries. willa, OS. willeo, willio, D. wil, G. wille, Icel. vili, Dan. villie, Sw. vilja, Goth wilja. See Will, v. ].
- The power of choosing; the faculty or endowment of the soul by which it is capable of choosing; the faculty or power of the mind by which we decide to do or not to do; the power or faculty of preferring or selecting one of two or more objects. [1913 Webster]"It is necessary to form a distinct notion of what is meant by the word “volition” in order to understand the import of the word will, for this last word expresses the power of mind of which “volition” is the act." [1913 Webster]"Will is an ambiguous word, being sometimes put for the faculty of willing; sometimes for the act of that faculty, besides [having] other meanings. But “volition” always signifies the act of willing, and nothing else." [1913 Webster]"Appetite is the will's solicitor, and the will is appetite's controller; what we covet according to the one, by the other we often reject." [1913 Webster]"The will is plainly that by which the mind chooses anything." [1913 Webster]
- The choice which is made; a determination or preference which results from the act or exercise of the power of choice; a volition. [1913 Webster]"The word “will,” however, is not always used in this its proper acceptation, but is frequently substituted for “volition”, as when I say that my hand mover in obedience to my will." [1913 Webster]
- The choice or determination of one who has authority; a decree; a command; discretionary pleasure. [1913 Webster]"Thy will be done." [1913 Webster]"Our prayers should be according to the will of God." [1913 Webster]
- Strong wish or inclination; desire; purpose. [1913 Webster]"My poverty, but not my will, consents; . . .
Put this in any liquid thing you will,
And drink it off." [1913 Webster] - That which is strongly wished or desired. [1913 Webster]"What's your will, good friar?" [1913 Webster]"The mariner hath his will." [1913 Webster]
- Arbitrary disposal; power to control, dispose, or determine. [1913 Webster]"Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies." [1913 Webster]
- The legal declaration of a person's mind as to the manner in which he would have his property or estate disposed of after his death; the written instrument, legally executed, by which a man makes disposition of his estate, to take effect after his death; testament; devise. See the Note under Testament, 1. [1913 Webster]" Wills are written or nuncupative, that is, oral. See
Nuncupative will , underNuncupative ." [1913 Webster]
will, v. t. & auxiliary. [OE. willen, imp. wolde; akin to OS. willan, OFries. willa, D. willen, G. wollen, OHG. wollan, wellan, Icel. & Sw. vilja, Dan. ville, Goth. wiljan, OSlav. voliti, L. velle to wish, volo I wish; cf. Skr. v to choose, to prefer. Cf. Voluntary, Welcome, Well, adv. ].
- To wish; to desire; to incline to have. [1913 Webster]"A wife as of herself no thing ne sholde [should]
Wille in effect, but as her husband wolde [would]." [1913 Webster]"Caleb said unto her, What will thou ?" [1913 Webster]"They would none of my counsel." [1913 Webster] - As an auxiliary, will is used to denote futurity dependent on the verb. Thus, in first person, “I will” denotes willingness, consent, promise; and when “will” is emphasized, it denotes determination or fixed purpose; as, I will go if you wish; I will go at all hazards. In the second and third persons, the idea of distinct volition, wish, or purpose is evanescent, and simple certainty is appropriately expressed; as, “You will go,” or “He will go,” describes a future event as a fact only. To emphasize will denotes (according to the tone or context) certain futurity or fixed determination. [1913 Webster]" Will, auxiliary, may be used elliptically for will go. “I'll to her lodgings.”
Marlowe. " As in shall (which see), the second and third persons may be virtually converted into the first, either by question or indirect statement, so as to receive the meaning which belongs to will in that person; thus, “Will you go?” (answer, “I will go”) asks assent, requests, etc.; while “Will he go?” simply inquires concerning futurity; thus, also,“He says or thinks he will go,” “You say or think you will go,” both signify willingness or consent." [1913 Webster]" Would, as the preterit of will, is chiefly employed in conditional, subjunctive, or optative senses; as, he would go if he could; he could go if he would; he said that he would go; I would fain go, but can not; I would that I were young again; and other like phrases. In the last use, the first personal pronoun is often omitted; as, would that he were here; would to Heaven that it were so; and, omitting the to in such an adjuration. “Would God I had died for thee.” Would is used for both present and future time, in conditional propositions, and would have for past time; as, he would go now if he were ready; if it should rain, he would not go; he would have gone, had he been able. Would not, as also will not, signifies refusal. “He was angry, and would not go in.”Luke xv. 28. Would is never a past participle." [1913 Webster]"I am able to devote as much time and attention to other subjects as I will [shall] be under the necessity of doing next winter." [1913 Webster]"A countryman, telling us what he had seen, remarked that if the conflagration went on, as it was doing, we would [should] have, as our next season's employment, the Old Town of Edinburgh to rebuild." [1913 Webster]"I feel assured that I will [shall] not have the misfortune to find conflicting views held by one so enlightened as your excellency." [1913 Webster]
will, v. i.
To be willing; to be inclined or disposed; to be pleased; to wish; to desire. [1913 Webster]
" This word has been confused with will, v. i., to choose, which, unlike this, is of the weak conjugation." [1913 Webster]
"And behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus . . . touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean." [1913 Webster]
- To form a distinct volition of; to determine by an act of choice; to ordain; to decree. Milton. [1913 Webster]"By all law and reason, that which the Parliament will not, is no more established in this kingdom." [1913 Webster]"Two things he [God] willeth, that we should be good, and that we should be happy." [1913 Webster]
- To enjoin or command, as that which is determined by an act of volition; to direct; to order. [1913 Webster]"They willed me say so, madam." [1913 Webster]"Send for music,
And will the cooks to use their best of cunning
To please the palate." [1913 Webster]"As you go, will the lord mayor . . .
To attend our further pleasure presently." [1913 Webster] - To give or direct the disposal of by testament; to bequeath; to devise; as, to will one's estate to a child; also, to order or direct by testament; as, he willed that his nephew should have his watch. [1913 Webster]
will, v. i.
To exercise an act of volition; to choose; to decide; to determine; to decree. [1913 Webster]
"At Winchester he lies, so himself willed." [1913 Webster]
"He that shall turn his thoughts inward upon what passes in his own mind when he wills." [1913 Webster]
"I contend for liberty as it signifies a power in man to do as he wills or pleases." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
will, v.aux. & tr. (3rd sing. present will; past would) (foll. by infin. without to, or absol.; present and past only in use)
1 (in the 2nd and 3rd persons, and often in the 1st: see SHALL) expressing the future tense in statements, commands, or questions (you will regret this; they will leave at once; will you go to the party?).
2 (in the 1st person) expressing a wish or intention (I will return soon).
1 (in the 2nd and 3rd persons, and often in the 1st: see SHALL) expressing the future tense in statements, commands, or questions (you will regret this; they will leave at once; will you go to the party?).
2 (in the 1st person) expressing a wish or intention (I will return soon).
Idiom
will do colloq. expressing willingness to carry out a request.
Usage
For the other persons in senses 1, 2, see SHALL.
3 expressing desire, consent, or inclination (will you have a sandwich?; come when you will; the door will not open).
4 expressing ability or capacity (the jar will hold a kilo).
5 expressing habitual or inevitable tendency (accidents will happen; will sit there for hours).
6 expressing probability or expectation (that will be my wife).
3 expressing desire, consent, or inclination (will you have a sandwich?; come when you will; the door will not open).
4 expressing ability or capacity (the jar will hold a kilo).
5 expressing habitual or inevitable tendency (accidents will happen; will sit there for hours).
6 expressing probability or expectation (that will be my wife).
will, n. & v.
--n.
1 the faculty by which a person decides or is regarded as deciding on and initiating action (the mind consists of the understanding and the will).
2 (also will-power) control exercised by deliberate purpose over impulse; self-control (has a strong will; overcame his shyness by will-power).
3 a deliberate or fixed desire or intention (a will to live).
4 energy of intention; the power of effecting one's intentions or dominating others.
5 directions (usu. written) in legal form for the disposition of one's property after death (make one's will).
6 disposition towards others (good will).
7 archaic what one desires or ordains (thy will be done).
--v.tr.
1 have as the object of one's will; intend unconditionally (what God wills; willed that we should succeed).
2 (absol.) exercise will-power.
3 instigate or impel or compel by the exercise of will-power (you can will yourself into contentment).
4 bequeath by the terms of a will (shall will my money to charity).
--n.
1 the faculty by which a person decides or is regarded as deciding on and initiating action (the mind consists of the understanding and the will).
2 (also will-power) control exercised by deliberate purpose over impulse; self-control (has a strong will; overcame his shyness by will-power).
3 a deliberate or fixed desire or intention (a will to live).
4 energy of intention; the power of effecting one's intentions or dominating others.
5 directions (usu. written) in legal form for the disposition of one's property after death (make one's will).
6 disposition towards others (good will).
7 archaic what one desires or ordains (thy will be done).
--v.tr.
1 have as the object of one's will; intend unconditionally (what God wills; willed that we should succeed).
2 (absol.) exercise will-power.
3 instigate or impel or compel by the exercise of will-power (you can will yourself into contentment).
4 bequeath by the terms of a will (shall will my money to charity).
Idiom
at will
1 whenever one pleases.
2 Law able to be evicted without notice (tenant at will). have one's will obtain what one wants. what is your will? what do you wish done? where there's a will there's a way determination will overcome any obstacle. a will of one's own obstinacy; wilfulness of character. with the best will in the world however good one's intentions. with a will energetically or resolutely.
1 whenever one pleases.
2 Law able to be evicted without notice (tenant at will). have one's will obtain what one wants. what is your will? what do you wish done? where there's a will there's a way determination will overcome any obstacle. a will of one's own obstinacy; wilfulness of character. with the best will in the world however good one's intentions. with a will energetically or resolutely.
Derivative
willed adj. (also in comb.). willer n. will-less adj.
Etymology
OE willa f. Gmc
THESAURUS
will
add a codicil, aim, alternativity, ambition, animus, aplomb, appetite, ardor, aspiration, assurance, attested copy, behest, bequeath, bequeathal, bequest, bidding, character, choice, choose, choose to, choosing, co-optation, co-option, codicil, command, commandment, commitment, conclude, concupiscence, confidence, control, counsel, crave, curiosity, decide, decidedness, decision, decisiveness, decree, dedication, definiteness, desideration, desideratum, design, desire, determinateness, determination, determine, determinedness, devise, devotion, dictate, dictation, direct order, discipline, discretion, disposition, drive, eagerness, earnestness, effect, election, entail, execute a will, fancy, fantasy, first choice, fix, fixed purpose, fixity of purpose, fortitude, free choice, free will, function, hand down, hand on, hankering, hest, hope, horme, idea, imperative, inclination, inheritance, intellectual curiosity, intendment, intent, intention, iron will, leave, legacy, legate, libido, like, liking, longing, lust for learning, make a bequest, make a will, meaning, mind, moral courage, moral fiber, motive, need, nisus, obstinacy, order, pass on, passion, perseverance, persistence, pick, pining, plan, please, pleasure, pleasure principle, point, poise, power, preference, preoption, probate, project, proposal, prospectus, purpose, purposefulness, relentlessness, resoluteness, resolution, resolve, resolvedness, restraint, sake, say-so, seal, see fit, selection, self-command, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, self-restraint, self-will, seriousness, settle, sexual desire, sincerity, single-mindedness, special order, strength, strength of mind, strength of purpose, striving, study, take a resolution, temper, tenacity, testament, the pick, think fit, think good, think proper, thirst for knowledge, total commitment, transmit, urge, velleity, view, volition, want, wanting, will and bequeath, will and pleasure, will of iron, will power, will to, willpower, wish, wish fulfillment, wishes, word, word of command, yearningROGET THESAURUS
will
Will
N will, volition, conation, velleity, liberum arbitrium, will and pleasure, free will, freedom, discretion, option, voluntariness, spontaneity, spontaneousness, originality, pleasure, wish, mind, desire, frame of mind, intention, predetermination, selfcontrol, determination, force of will, voluntary, volitional, willful, free, optional, discretional, discretionary, volitient, volitive, minded, prepense, intended, autocratic, unbidden &c (bid), spontaneous, original, unconstrained, voluntarily, at will, at pleasure, a volonte, a discretion, al piacere, ad libitum, ad arbitrium, as one thinks proper, as it seems good to, a beneplacito, of one's won accord, of one's own free will, proprio motu, suo motu, ex meromotu, out of one's won head, by choice, purposely, deliberately, stet pro ratione voluntas, sic volo sic jubeo, a vostro beneplacito, beneficium accipere libertatem est vendere, Deus vult, was man nicht kann meiden muss man willig leiden.VB will, list, see fit, think fit, determine, enjoin, settle, volunteer, have a will of one's own, do what one chooses, have it all, one's own way, have one's will, have one's own way, use one's discretion, exercise one's discretion, take upon oneself, take one's own course, take the law into one's own hands, do of one's own accord, do upon one's own authority, originate.
Resolution
N resolution, determination, will, iron will, unconquerable will, will of one's own, decision, resolution, backbone, clear grit, true grit, grit, sand, strength of mind, strength of will, resolve, firmness, energy, manliness, vigor, game, pluck, resoluteness, zeal, aplomb, desperation, devotion, devotedness, mastery over self, self control, self command, self possession, self reliance, self government, self restraint, self conquest, self denial, moral courage, moral strength, perseverance, tenacity, obstinacy, bulldog, British lion, resolved, determined, strong-willed, strong-minded, resolute, self-possessed, decided, definitive, peremptory, tranchant, unhesitating, unflinching, unshrinking, firm, iron, gritty, indomitable, game to the backbone, inexorable, relentless, not to be shaken, not to be put down, tenax propositi, inflexible, obstinate, steady, earnest, serious, set upon, bent upon, intent upon, steel against, proof against, in utrumque paratus, resolutely, in earnest, in good earnest, seriously, joking apart, earnestly, heart and soul, on one's mettle, manfully, like a man, with a high hand, with a strong hand, at any rate, at any risk, at any hazard, at any price, at any cost, at any sacrifice, at all hazards, at all risks, at all events, a' bis ou a blanc, cost what it may, coute, a tort et a travers, once for all, neck or nothing, rain or shine, spes sibi quisque, celui qui veut celui-la peut, chi non s'arrischia non guadagna, frangas non flectes, manu forti, tentanda via est.VB have determination, know one's own mind, be resolved, make up one's mind, will, resolve, determine, decide, form a determination, come to a determination, come to a resolution, come to a resolve, conclude, fix, seal, determine once for all, bring to a crisis, drive matters to an extremity, take a decisive step, take upon oneself, devote oneself to, give oneself up to, throw away the scabbard, kick down the ladder, nail one's colors to the mast, set one's back against the wall, set one's teeth, put one's foot down, take one's stand, stand firm, steel oneself, stand no nonsense, not listen to the voice of the charmer, buckle to, buckle oneself put one's shoulder to the wheel, lay one's shoulder to the wheel, set one's shoulder to the wheel, put one's heart into, run the gauntlet, make a dash at, take the bull by the horns, rush in medias res, plunge in medias res, go in for, insist upon, make a point of, set one's heart upon, set one's mind upon, stick at nothing, stop at nothing, make short work of, not stick at trifles, go all lengths, go the limit, go the whole hog, persist, go through fire and water, ride the tiger, ride in the whirlwind and direct the storm.
Security
N security, guaranty, guarantee, gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration, real security, vadium, stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution, promissory note, bill, bill of exchange, I, O, U, personal security, covenant, specialty, parole, acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal, sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship, surety, bail, mainpernor, hostage, godchild, godfather, godmother, recognizance, deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet, record, probate, attested copy, receipt, acquittance, quittance, discharge, release, muniment, title deed, instrument, deed, deed poll, assurance, indenture, charter, charter poll, paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil, bonis avibus, gone where the woodbine twineth.Giving
N giving, bestowal, bestowment, donation, presentation, presentment, accordance, concession, delivery, consignment, dispensation, communication, endowment, investment, investiture, award, almsgiving, charity, liberality, generosity, gift, donation, present, cadeau, fairing, free gift, boon, favor, benefaction, grant, offering, oblation, sacrifice, immolation, lagniappe, pilon, grace, act of grace, bonus, allowance, contribution, subscription, subsidy, tribute, subvention, bequest, legacy, devise, will, dotation, dot, appanage, voluntary settlement, voluntary conveyance, amortization, alms, largess, bounty, dole, sportule, donative, help, oblation, offertory, honorarium, gratuity, Peter pence, sportula, Christmas box, Easter offering, vail, douceur, drink money, pourboire, trinkgeld, bakshish, fee, consideration, bribe, bait, ground bait, peace offering, handsel, boodle, graft, grease, blat, giver, grantor, donor, feoffer, settlor, giving, given, allowed, allowable, concessional, communicable, charitable, eleemosynary, sportulary, tributary, gratis, donative, auctor pretiosa facit, ex dono, res est ingeniosa dare.Also see definition of "will" in Bible Study Dictionaries
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