adj.
- done, given, or acting of one's own free will.
▸Physiology under the conscious control of the brain.
- working or done without payment.
▸Law (of a conveyance or disposition) made without return in money or other consideration.
n.
(pl. voluntaries)
- an organ solo played before, during, or after a church service.
▸historical a piece of music performed extempore or composed in a free style.
- (in a competition) a special performance left to the performer's choice.
Derivative
- voluntarily adv.
- voluntariness n.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. volontaire or L. voluntarius, from voluntas ‘will’.