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will 1 (wĭl)
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n.
1. The mental faculty by which one deliberately chooses or decides upon a course of action: championed freedom of will against a doctrine of predetermination.
2.
a. Diligent purposefulness; determination: an athlete with the will to win.
b. Self-control; self-discipline: lacked the will to overcome the addiction.
3. A desire, purpose, or determination, especially of one in authority: It is the sovereign's will that the prisoner be spared.
4. Deliberate intention or wish: Let it be known that I took this course of action against my will.
5. Free discretion; inclination or pleasure: wandered about, guided only by will.
6. Bearing or attitude toward others; disposition: full of good will.
7.
a. A legal declaration of how a person wishes their personal possessions to be disposed of after death.
b. A legally executed document containing this declaration.
v. willed, will·ing, wills
v. tr.
1.
a. To decide on or intend: He can finish the race if he wills it.
b. To yearn for; desire: “She makes you will your own destruction” (George Bernard Shaw).
c. To decree, dictate, or order: believed that the outcome was willed by the gods.
2. To induce or try to induce by sheer force of will: We willed the sun to come out.
3.
a. To grant in a legal will; bequeath: willed his fortune to charity.
b. To order to direct in a legal will: She willed that her money be given to charity.
v. intr.
1. To exercise the will.
2. To make a choice; choose: Do as you will.
Idiom:
at will
Just as or when one wishes.

[Middle English, from Old English willa; see wel-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
will 2 (wĭl)
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aux.v. Past tense would (wd)
1. Used to indicate simple futurity: They will appear later.
2. Used to indicate likelihood or certainty: You will regret this.
3. Used to indicate willingness: Will you help me with this package?
4. Used to indicate requirement or command: You will report to me afterward.
5. Used to indicate intention: I will too if I feel like it.
6. Used to indicate customary or habitual action: People will talk.
7. Used to indicate capacity or ability: This metal will not crack under heavy pressure.
8. Used to indicate probability or expectation: That will be the messenger ringing.
tr. & intr.v.
To wish; desire: Do what you will. Sit here if you will. See Usage Note at shall.

[Middle English willen, to intend to, from Old English willan; see wel-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.