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Will definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

WILL, n. [See the Verb.]
1. That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue. The will is directed or influenced by the judgment. The understanding or reason compares different objects, which operate as motives; the judgment determines which is preferable, and the will decides which to pursue. In other words, we reason with respect to the value or importance of things; we then judge which is to be preferred; and we will to take the most valuable. These are but different operations of the mind, soul, or intellectual part of man. Great disputes have existed respecting the freedom of the will. Will is often quite a different thing from desire.
A power over a mans subsistence, amounts to a power over his will.
2. Choice; determination. It is my will to prosecute the trespasser.
3. Choice; discretion; pleasure.
Go, then, the guilty at thy will chastise.
4. Command; direction.
Our prayers should be according to the will of God.
5. Disposition; inclination; desire. What is your will, Sir? In this phrase, the word may also signify determination, especially when addressed to a superior.
6. Power; arbitrary disposal.
Deliver me not over to the will of my enemies. Psalms 27.
7. Divine determination; moral purpose or counsel.
Thy will be done. Lords Prayer.
8. Testament; the disposition of a mans estate, to take effect after his death. Wills are written, or nuncupative, that is, verbal.
Good will,
1. Favor; kindness.
2. Right intention. Philippians 1.
Ill will, enmity; unfriendliness. It expresses less than malice.
To have ones will, to obtain what is desired.
At will. To hold an estate at the will of another, is to enjoy the possession at his pleasure, and be liable to be ousted at any time by the lessor or proprietor.
Will with a wisp, Jack with a lantern; ignis fatuus; a luminous appearance sometimes seen in the air over moist ground, supposed to proceed from hydrogen gas.
WILL, v.t. [G., L., Gr. The sense is to set, or to set forward, to stretch forward. The sense is well expressed by the L.]
1. To determine; to decide int he mind that something shall be done or forborne; implying power to carry the purpose into effect. In this manner God wills whatever comes to pass. So in the style of princes; we will that execution be done.
A man that sits still is said to be at liberty, because he can walk if he will it.
2. To command; to direct.
Tis yours, O queen! To will the work which duty bids me to fulfill.
3. To be inclined or resolved to have.
There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?
4. To wish; to desire. What will you?
5. To dispose of estate and effects by testament.
6. It is sometimes equivalent to may be. Let the circumstances be what they will; that is, any circumstances, of whatever nature.
7. Will is used as an auxiliary verb, and a sign of the future tense. It has different signification in different persons.
1. I will go, is a present promise to go; and with an emphasis on will, it expresses determination.
2. Thou wilt go, you will go, express foretelling; simply stating an event that is to come.
3. He will go, is also a foretelling. The use of will in the plural, is the same. We will, promises; ye will, they will, foretell.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention; "the exercise of their volition we construe as revolt"- George Meredith [syn: volition, will]
2: a fixed and persistent intent or purpose; "where there's a will there's a way"
3: a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die [syn: will, testament] v
1: decree or ordain; "God wills our existence"
2: determine by choice; "This action was willed and intended"
3: leave or give by will after one's death; "My aunt bequeathed me all her jewelry"; "My grandfather left me his entire estate" [syn: bequeath, will, leave] [ant: disinherit, disown]

Merriam Webster's

I. verb (past would; present singular & plural will) Etymology: Middle English (1st & 3d singular present indicative), from Old English wille (infinitive wyllan); akin to Old High German wili (3d singular present indicative) wills, Latin velle to wish, will Date: before 12th century transitive verb desire, wish <call it what you will> verbal auxiliary 1. — used to express desire, choice, willingness, consent, or in negative constructions refusal <no one would take the job> <if we will all do our best> <will you please stop that racket> 2. — used to express frequent, customary, or habitual action or natural tendency or disposition <will get angry over nothing> <will work one day and loaf the next> 3. — used to express futurity <tomorrow morning I will wake up in this first-class hotel suite — Tennessee Williams> 4. — used to express capability or sufficiency <the back seat will hold three passengers> 5. — used to express probability and often equivalent to the simple verb <that will be the babysitter> 6. a. — used to express determination, insistence, persistence, or willfulness <I have made up my mind to go and go I will> b. — used to express inevitability <accidents will happen> 7. — used to express a command, exhortation, or injunction <you will do as I say, at once> intransitive verb to have a wish or desire <whether we will or no> Usage: see shall II. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English willa will, desire; akin to Old English wille Date: before 12th century 1. desire, wish: as a. disposition, inclination <where there's a will there's a way> b. appetite, passion c. choice, determination 2. a. something desired; especially a choice or determination of one having authority or power b. (1) archaic request, command (2) [from the phrase our will is which introduces it] the part of a summons expressing a royal command 3. the act, process, or experience of willing ; volition 4. a. mental powers manifested as wishing, choosing, desiring, or intending b. a disposition to act according to principles or ends c. the collective desire of a group <the will of the people> 5. the power of control over one's own actions or emotions <a man of iron will> 6. a legal declaration of a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property or estate after death; especially a written instrument legally executed by which a person makes disposition of his or her estate to take effect after death III. Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to order or direct by a will <willed that her property be divided among her children> b. to dispose of by or as if by a will ; bequeath <willed his entire estate to this wife> 2. a. to determine by an act of choice b. decree, ordain <Providence wills it> c. intend, purpose d. to cause or change by an act of will <believed he could will himself to succeed>; also to try to do so intransitive verb 1. to exercise the will 2. choose <do as you will>

Britannica Concise

In law, a formal declaration, usually in the form of an executed document, of a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property after death. It is valid if it meets the formalities of the law, which usually requires that it be witnessed. It may be considered invalid if, among other instances, the testator was mentally incapable of disposing of his or her property, if it imposes unreasonable or cruel demands as a condition of inheritance, or if the testator did not have clear title to the bequeathed assets. Any party who contests a will must bring the claim within a time specified by statute and must bear the burden of proof in demonstrating that the will is faulty. See also probate.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. 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). 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). Phrases and idioms: will do colloq. expressing willingness to carry out a request. Etymology: OE wyllan, (unrecorded) willan f. Gmc: rel. to L volo 2. 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). Phrases and idioms: 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. Derivatives: willed adj. (also in comb.). willer n. will-less adj. Etymology: OE willa f. Gmc

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Will 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.] 1. 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. 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. --Stewart. 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. --Reid. 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. --Hooker. The will is plainly that by which the mind chooses anything. --J. Edwards. 2. The choice which is made; a determination or preference which results from the act or exercise of the power of choice; a volition. 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. --Stewart. 3. The choice or determination of one who has authority; a decree; a command; discretionary pleasure. Thy will be done. --Matt. vi. 10. Our prayers should be according to the will of God. --Law. 4. Strong wish or inclination; desire; purpose. Note: ``Inclination is another word with which will is frequently confounded. Thus, when the apothecary says, in Romeo and Juliet, My poverty, but not my will, consents; . . . Put this in any liquid thing you will, And drink it off. the word will is plainly used as, synonymous with inclination; not in the strict logical sense, as the immediate antecedent of action. It is with the same latitude that the word is used in common conversation, when we speak of doing a thing which duty prescribes, against one's own will; or when we speak of doing a thing willingly or unwillingly.'' --Stewart. 5. That which is strongly wished or desired. What's your will, good friar? --Shak. The mariner hath his will. --Coleridge. 6. Arbitrary disposal; power to control, dispose, or determine. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies. --Ps. xxvii. 12. 7. (Law) 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. Note: Wills are written or nuncupative, that is, oral. See Nuncupative will, under Nuncupative. At will (Law), at pleasure. To hold an estate at the will of another, is to enjoy the possession at his pleasure, and be liable to be ousted at any time by the lessor or proprietor. An estate at will is at the will of both parties. Good will. See under Good. Ill will, enmity; unfriendliness; malevolence. To have one's will, to obtain what is desired; to do what one pleases. Will worship, worship according to the dictates of the will or fancy; formal worship. [Obs.] Will worshiper, one who offers will worship. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor. With a will, with willingness and zeal; with all one's heart or strength; earnestly; heartily.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Will Will, v. t. & auxiliary. [imp. Would. Indic. present, I will (Obs. I wol), thou wilt, he will (Obs. he wol); we, ye, they will.] [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[.r] to choose, to prefer. Cf. Voluntary, Welcome, Well, adv.] 1. To wish; to desire; to incline to have. A wife as of herself no thing ne sholde [should] Wille in effect, but as her husband wolde [would]. --Chaucer. Caleb said unto her, What will thou ? --Judg. i. 14. They would none of my counsel. --Prov. i. 30. 2. 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. Note: Will, auxiliary, may be used elliptically for will go. ``I'll to her lodgings.'' --Marlowe. Note: 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. Note: 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. Note: In Ireland, Scotland, and the United States, especially in the southern and western portions of the United States, shall and will, should and would, are often misused, as in the following examples: 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. --Chalmers. 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. --H. Miller. I feel assured that I will [shall] not have the misfortune to find conflicting views held by one so enlightened as your excellency. --J. Y. Mason.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Will Will, v. i. To be willing; to be inclined or disposed; to be pleased; to wish; to desire. 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. --Matt. viii. 2, 3. Note: This word has been confused with will, v. i., to choose, which, unlike this, is of the weak conjugation. Will I, nill I, or Will ye, hill ye, or Will he, nill he, whether I, you, or he will it or not; hence, without choice; compulsorily; -- sometimes corrupted into willy nilly. ``If I must take service willy nilly.'' --J. H. Newman. ``Land for all who would till it, and reading and writing will ye, nill ye.'' --Lowell.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Will Will, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Willed; p. pr. & vb. n. Willing. Indic. present I will, thou willeth, he wills; we, ye, they will.] [Cf. AS. willian. See Will, n.] 1. To form a distinct volition of; to determine by an act of choice; to ordain; to decree. ``What she will to do or say.'' --Milton. By all law and reason, that which the Parliament will not, is no more established in this kingdom. --Milton. Two things he [God] willeth, that we should be good, and that we should be happy. --Barrow. 2. To enjoin or command, as that which is determined by an act of volition; to direct; to order. [Obs. or R.] They willed me say so, madam. --Shak. Send for music, And will the cooks to use their best of cunning To please the palate. --Beau. & Fl. As you go, will the lord mayor . . . To attend our further pleasure presently. --J. Webster. 3. 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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Will Will, v. i. To exercise an act of volition; to choose; to decide; to determine; to decree. At Winchester he lies, so himself willed. --Robert of Brunne. He that shall turn his thoughts inward upon what passes in his own mind when he wills. --Locke. I contend for liberty as it signifies a power in man to do as he wills or pleases. --Collins.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

I. MODAL VERB USES Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. Note: 'Will' is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. In spoken English and informal written English, the form 'won't' is often used in negative statements. 1. You use will to indicate that you hope, think, or have evidence that something is going to happen or be the case in the future. You will find a wide variety of choices available in school cafeterias... Representatives from across the horse industry will attend the meeting... 70 per cent of airports in the Far East will have to be upgraded... Will you ever feel at home here?... The ship will not be ready for a month. MODAL 2. You use will in order to make statements about official arrangements in the future. The show will be open to the public at 2pm; admission will be 50p... When will I be released, sir? MODAL 3. You use will in order to make promises and threats about what is going to happen or be the case in the future. I'll call you tonight... Price quotes on selected product categories will be sent on request... If she refuses to follow rules about car safety, she won't be allowed to use the car. MODAL 4. You use will to indicate someone's intention to do something. I will say no more on these matters, important though they are... In this section we will describe common myths about cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana... 'Dinner's ready.'—'Thanks, Carrie, but we'll have a drink first.'... What will you do next?... Will you be remaining in the city? MODAL 5. You use will in questions in order to make polite invitations or offers. Will you stay for supper?... Will you join me for a drink?... Won't you sit down? MODAL [politeness] 6. You use will in questions in order to ask or tell someone to do something. Will you drive me home?... Wipe the jam off my mouth, will you? = would MODAL 7. You can use will in statements to give an order to someone. (FORMAL) You will now maintain radio silence... You will not discuss this matter with anyone. MODAL 8. You use will to say that someone is willing to do something. You use will not or won't to indicate that someone refuses to do something. All right, I'll forgive you... He has insisted that his organisation will not negotiate with the government. MODAL see also willing 9. You use will to say that a person or thing is able to do something in the future. How the country will defend itself in the future has become increasingly important... How will I recognize you? MODAL 10. You use will to indicate that an action usually happens in the particular way mentioned. The thicker the material, the less susceptible the garment will be to wet conditions... There's no snake known that will habitually attack human beings unless threatened with its life... MODAL 11. You use will in the main clause of some 'if' and 'unless' sentences to indicate something that you consider to be fairly likely to happen. If you overcook the pancakes they will be difficult to roll... MODAL 12. You use will to say that someone insists on behaving or doing something in a particular way and you cannot change them. You emphasize will when you use it in this way. He will leave his socks lying all over the place and it drives me mad. MODAL 13. You use will have with a past participle when you are saying that you are fairly certain that something will be true by a particular time in the future. As many as ten-million children will have been infected with the virus by the end of the decade... MODAL 14. You use will have with a past participle to indicate that you are fairly sure that something is the case. The holiday will have done him the world of good. MODAL II. WANTING SOMETHING TO HAPPEN (wills, willing, willed) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. Will is the determination to do something. He was said to have lost his will to live. ...the inevitable battle of wills as your child realises that he can't do or have everything he wants... N-VAR: oft N to-inf see also free will 2. If something is the will of a person or group of people with authority, they want it to happen. Democracy responds and adjusts to the will of the people... N-SING: with poss 3. If you will something to happen, you try to make it happen by using mental effort rather than physical effort. I looked at the telephone, willing it to ring... VERB: V n to-inf 4. A will is a document in which you declare what you want to happen to your money and property when you die. Attached to his will was a letter he had written to his wife just days before his death. N-COUNT 5. If something is done against your will, it is done even though you do not want it to be done. No doubt he was forced to leave his family against his will. PHRASE: PHR after v 6. If you can do something at will, you can do it when you want and as much as you want. ...scientists who can adjust their experiments at will. PHRASE: PHR after v

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See TESTAMENT.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. 1. Power of determination, power of choosing, faculty of volition, volition. 2. Resolution, resoluteness, determination, decision, self-reliance, force of will. 3. Wish, desire, inclination, disposition, pleasure. 4. Command, behest, order, direction. 5. Testament, last will and testament. II. v. a. 1. Determine, decree, enjoin, command, direct. 2. Bequeath, devise, demise, leave, give by will. III. v. n. 1. Exercise volition. 2. Desire, choose, elect, be disposed, be inclined, be pleased, have a mind.

Moby Thesaurus

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, yearning