The Wordsmith Dictionary

Will, n. Etym: [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. 1 . 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 7 (Law )

Defn: 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.

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. ] Etym: [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. vrs 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. 3 .

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.

WILL

WILL Will, v. i.

Defn: 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.

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. ] Etym: [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.

WILL

WILL Will, v. i.

Defn: 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.

WILLEMITE

Wil "lem *ite, n. Etym: [From Willem I., king of the Netherlands. ](Min. )

Defn: A silicate of zinc, usually occurring massive and of a greenish yellow color, also in reddish crystals (troostite ) containing manganese.

WILLER

WILLER Will "er, n.

Defn: One who wills.

WILLET

WILLET Wil "let, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large North American snipe (Symphemia semipalmata ); -- called also pill-willet, will-willet, semipalmated tattler, or snipe, duck snipe, and stone curlew. Carolina willet, the Hudsonian godwit.

WILLFUL

Will "ful, a. Etym: [Will + full. ] Etym: [Written also wilful. ]

1. Of set purpose; self-determined; voluntary; as, willful murder. Foxe. In willful poverty chose to lead his life. Chaucer. Thou to me Art all things under heaven, all places thou, Who, for my willful crime, art banished hence. Milton.

2. Governed by the will without yielding to reason; obstinate; perverse; inflexible; stubborn; refractory; as, a willful man or horse. -- Will "ful *ly, adv. -- Will "ful *ness, n.

WILLIER

WILLIER Wil "li *er, n.

Defn: One who works at a willying machine.

WILLING

Will "ing, a. Etym: [From Will, v. t.]

1. Free to do or to grant; having the mind inclined; not opposed in mind; not choosing to refuse; disposed; not averse; desirous; consenting; complying; ready. Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. Acts xxiv. 27. With wearied wings and willing feet. Milton. [Fruit ] shaken in August from the willing boughs. Bryant.

2. Received of choice, or without reluctance; submitted to voluntarily; chosen; desired. [They ] are held, with his melodious harmony, In willing chains and sweet captivity. Milton.

3. Spontaneous; self-moved. [R.] No spouts of blood run willing from a tree. Dryden.

WILLINGLY

WILLINGLY Will "ing *ly, adv.

Defn: In a willing manner; with free will; without reluctance; cheerfully. Chaucer. The condition of that people is not so much to be envied as some would willingly represent it. Addison.

WILLINGNESS

WILLINGNESS Will "ing *ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being willing; free choice or consent of the will; freedom from reluctance; readiness of the mind to do or forbear. Sweet is the love which comes with willingness. Dryden.

WILLIWAW; WILLYWAW

WILLIWAW; WILLYWAW Wil "li *waw, Wil "ly *waw, n. (Naut. )

Defn: A whirlwind, or whirlwind squall, encountered in the Straits of Magellan. W. C. Russell.

WILLOCK

WILLOCK Wil "lock, n. (Zoöl.)(a ) The common guillemot. (b ) The puffin. [Prov. Eng. ]

WILL-O'-THE-WISP

WILL-O'-THE-WISP Will "-o'-the-wisp `, n.

Defn: See Ignis fatuus.

WILLOW

Wil "low, n. Etym: [OE. wilowe, wilwe, AS. wilig, welig; akin to OD. wilge, D. wilg, LG. wilge. Cf. Willy. ]

1. (Bot. )

Defn: Any tree or shrub of the genus Salix, including many species, most of which are characterized often used as an emblem of sorrow, desolation, or desertion. "A wreath of willow to show my forsaken plight. " Sir W. Scott. Hence, a lover forsaken by, or having lost, the person beloved, is said to wear the willow. And I must wear the willow garland For him that's dead or false to me. Campbell.

2. (Textile Manuf.)

Defn: A machine in which cotton or wool is opened and cleansed by the action of long spikes projecting from a drum which revolves within a box studded with similar spikes; -- probably so called from having been originally a cylindrical cage made of willow rods, though some derive the term from winnow, as denoting the winnowing, or cleansing, action of the machine. Called also willy, twilly, twilly devil, and devil. Almond willow, Pussy willow, Weeping willow. (Bot. ) See under Almond, Pussy, and Weeping. -- Willow biter (Zoöl.) the blue tit. [Prov. Eng. ] -- Willow fly (Zoöl.), a greenish European stone fly (Chloroperla viridis ); -- called also yellow Sally. -- Willow gall (Zoöl.), a conical, scaly gall produced on willows by the larva of a small dipterous fly (Cecidomyia strobiloides ). -- Willow grouse (Zoöl.), the white ptarmigan. See ptarmigan. -- Willow lark (Zoöl.), the sedge warbler. [Prov. Eng. ] -- Willow ptarmigan (Zoöl.) (a ) The European reed bunting, or black-headed bunting. See under Reed. (b ) A sparrow (Passer salicicolus ) native of Asia, Africa, and Southern Europe. -- Willow tea, the prepared leaves of a species of willow largely grown in the neighborhood of Shanghai, extensively used by the poorer classes of Chinese as a substitute for tea. McElrath. -- Willow thrush (Zoöl.), a variety of the veery, or Wilson's thrush. See Veery. -- Willow warbler (Zoöl.), a very small European warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus ); -- called also bee bird, haybird, golden wren, pettychaps, sweet William, Tom Thumb, and willow wren.

WILLOW

WILLOW Wil "low, v. t.

Defn: To open and cleanse, as cotton, flax, or wool, by means of a willow. See Willow, n., 2.

WILLOWED

WILLOWED Wil "lowed, a.

Defn: Abounding with willows; containing willows; covered or overgrown with willows. "Willowed meads. " Collins.

WILLOWER

WILLOWER Wil "low *er, n.

Defn: A willow. See Willow, n., 2.

WILLOW-HERB

WILLOW-HERB Wil "low-herb `, n. (Bot. )

Defn: A perennial herb (Epilobium spicatum ) with narrow willowlike leaves and showy rose-purple flowers. The name is sometimes made to include other species of the same genus. Spiked willow-herb, a perennial herb (Lythrum Salicaria ) with willowy leaves and spiked purplish flowers.

WILLOWISH

WILLOWISH Wil "low *ish, a.

Defn: Having the color of the willow; resembling the willow; willowy. Walton.

WILLOW-THORN

WILLOW-THORN Wil "low-thorn `, n. (Bot. )

Defn: A thorny European shrub (Hippophaë rhamnoides ) resembling a willow.

WILLOW-WEED

WILLOW-WEED Wil "low-weed `, n. (Bot. )(a ) A European species of loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris ). (b ) Any kind of Polygonum with willowlike foliage.

WILLOW-WORT

WILLOW-WORT Wil "low-wort `, n. (Bot. )(a ) Same as Willow-weed. (b ) Any plant of the order Salicaceæ, or the Willow family.

WILLOWY

WILLOWY Wil "low *y, a.

1. Abounding with willows. Where willowy Camus lingers with delight. Gray.

2. Resembling a willow; pliant; flexible; pendent; drooping; graceful.

WILLSOME

Will "some, a. Etym: [Written also wilsome.]

1. Willful; obstinate. [Obs. ]

2. Fat; indolent. [Prov. Eng. ] Halliwell.

3. Doubtful; uncertain. [Prov. Eng. ] Halliwell. -- Will "some *ness, n. [Obs. ]

WILLY

Wil "ly, n. Etym: [Cf. Willow. ]

1. A large wicker basket. [Prov. Eng. ] Halliwell.

2. (Textile Manuf.)

Defn: Same as 1st Willow, 2.

WILLYING

WILLYING Wil "ly *ing, n.

Defn: The process of cleansing wool, cotton, or the like, with a willy, or willow. Willying machine. Same as 1st Willow, 2

WILLY NILLY

WILLY NILLY Wil "ly nil "ly.

Defn: See Will I, nill I, etc. , under 3d Will.

New American Oxford Dictionary

will

will 1 |wil wɪl | ▶modal verb ( 3rd sing. present will ; past would |wo͝od, wəd | ) 1 expressing the future tense: you will regret it when you are older. • expressing a strong intention or assertion about the future: come what may, I will succeed. 2 expressing inevitable events: accidents will happen. 3 expressing a request: will you stop here, please. • expressing desire, consent, or willingness: will you have a cognac? 4 expressing facts about ability or capacity: a rock so light that it will float on water | your tank will hold about 26 gallons. 5 expressing habitual behavior: she will dance for hours. • (pronounced stressing “will ”) indicating annoyance about the habitual behavior described: he will keep intruding. 6 expressing probability or expectation about something in the present: they will be miles away by now. PHRASES will do informal expressing willingness to carry out a request or suggestion: “Might be best to check. ” “OK, will do. ”ORIGIN Old English wyllan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch willen, German wollen, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin velle ‘will, wish. ’ usage: On the differences in use between will and shall, see usage at shall .

will

will 2 |wɪl wil | ▶noun 1 [ usu. in sing. ] the faculty by which a person decides on and initiates action: she has an iron will | a battle of wills between children and their parents | an act of will. • (also willpower ) control deliberately exerted to do something or to restrain one's own impulses: a stupendous effort of will. • a deliberate or fixed desire or intention: Jane had not wanted them to stay against their will | [ with infinitive ] : the will to live. • the thing that one desires or ordains: the disaster was God's will. 2 a legal document containing instructions as to what should be done with one's money and property after one's death. ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 chiefly formal literary intend, desire, or wish (something ) to happen: he was doing what the saint willed | [ with clause ] : marijuana, dope, grass —call it what you will. • [ with obj. and infinitive ] make or try to make (someone ) do something or (something ) happen by the exercise of mental powers: reluctantly he willed himself to turn and go back | she stared into the fog, willing it to clear. 2 (will something to ) bequeath something to (someone ) by the terms of one's will. • [ with clause ] leave specified instructions in one's will: he willed that his body be given to the hospital. PHRASES at will at whatever time or in whatever way one pleases: it can be molded and shaped at will | he was shoved around at will. have a will of one's own have a willful character. have one's will archaic obtain what one wants. if you will said when politely inviting a listener or reader to do something or when using an unusual or fanciful term: imagine, if you will, a typical silversmith's shop. where there's a will there's a way proverb determination will overcome any obstacle. with the best will in the world however good one's intentions (used to imply that success in a particular undertaking is unlikely although desired ). with a will energetically and resolutely. DERIVATIVES willed adjective [ in combination ] : I'm strong-willed, will-less ness noun, will er noun ORIGIN Old English willa (noun ), willian (verb ), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wil, German Wille (nouns ), also to will 1 and the adverb well 1 .

Will, George F.

Will, George F. |wil wɪl | (1941 –), US journalist, columnist, and television commentator. His conservative syndicated newspaper column first appeared in The Washington Post. He also wrote a column for Newsweek magazine from 1976, and appeared on television's This Week.

Willamette River

Wil lam ette Riv er |wəˈlamit wəˌlæmɪt ˈrɪvər | a river that flows for 300 miles (480 km ) through western Oregon to the Columbia River.

Willard, Emma

Wil lard, Emma |ˈwilərd ˈwɪlərd | (1787 –1870 ), US educator. She founded a boarding school in Vermont in 1814 to teach subjects, such as mathematics and philosophy, not then available to women.

Willard, Frances

Wil lard, Frances |ˈwilərd ˈwɪlərd | (1839 –98 ), US women's rights and temperance activist; full name Frances Elizabeth Caroline Willard. She was president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union 1879, an organizer of the Prohibition Party in 1882, and president of the National Council of Women 1890. She wrote Woman and Temperance (1883 ).

will-call

will-call ▶noun relating to a place (usu. a ticket window or office ) where items previously purchased can be picked up: those picking up tickets at the will-call window must use the Trumbull entrance.

willemite

wil lem ite |ˈwiləˌmīt ˈwɪləmaɪt | ▶noun a mineral, typically greenish-yellow and fluorescent, consisting of a silicate of zinc. ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: from the name of Willem I (1772 –1843 ), king of the Netherlands, + -ite 1 .

Willemstad

Wil lem stad |ˈviləmˌstät, ˈwil- ˈvɪləmstɑt | the capital of the Netherlands Antilles, on the southwestern coast of the island of Curaçao; pop. 120,000 (est. 2007 ).

willet

wil let |ˈwilit ˈwɪlɪt | ▶noun ( pl. same or willets ) a large North American sandpiper. [Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, family Scolopacidae. ] ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: imitative of its call, pill-will-willet.

willful

will ful |ˈwilfəl ˈwɪlfəl |(also wilful ) ▶adjective (of an immoral or illegal act or omission ) intentional; deliberate: willful acts of damage. • having or showing a stubborn and determined intention to do as one wants, regardless of the consequences or effects: the pettish, willful side of him. DERIVATIVES will ful ly |ˈwilfəlē |adverb, will ful ness |ˈwilfəlnəs |noun ORIGIN Middle English: from the noun will 2 + -ful .

William

Wil liam |ˈwilyəm ˈwɪljəm | the name of two kings of England and two of Great Britain and Ireland. • William I ( c. 1027 –87 ), reigned 1066 –87; the first Norman king of England; known as William the Conqueror. He invaded England and defeated Harold II at the Battle of Hastings (1066 ). He introduced Norman institutions and customs (including feudalism ) and instigated the Domesday Book. • William II ( c. 1060 –1100 ), son of William I; reigned 1087 –1100; known as William Rufus. He crushed rebellions in 1088 and 1095 and also campaigned against his brother Robert, Duke of Normandy (1089 –96 ), ultimately acquiring the duchy. • William III (1650 –1702 ), grandson of Charles I, husband of Mary II; reigned 1689 –1702; known as William of Orange. In 1688, he deposed James II at the invitation of disaffected politicians and was crowned along with his wife Mary. • William IV (1765 –1837 ), son of George III; reigned 1830 –37; known as the Sailor King. Having served in the Royal Navy, he came to the throne after the death of his brother George IV.

William I

Will iam I 1 |ˈfɜːrst | (1143 –1214 ), grandson of David I; king of Scotland 1165 –1214; known as William the Lion.

William I

Will iam I 2 |ˈfɜːrst | (1533 –84 ), prince of the House of Orange; first stadtholder (chief magistrate ) of the United Provinces of the Netherlands 1572 –84; known as William the Silent.

William of Occam

Will iam of Oc cam |ˈäkəm ˌwɪljəm əv ˈɑkəm |(also Ockham ) ( c. 1285 –1349 ), English philosopher and Franciscan friar. A defender of nominalism, he is known for the maxim called “Occam's razor. ”

William of Orange

Will iam of Or ange, William III of Great Britain and Ireland (see William ).

William Rufus

Will iam Ru fus |ˈro͞ofəs ˌwɪljəm ˈrufəs |, William II of England (see William ).

Williams, Hank

Will iams, Hank |ˈwilyəmz ˈwɪljəmz | (1923 –53 ), US country singer and songwriter; born Hiram King Williams. He had the first of many hits, “Lovesick Blues, ” in 1949 and that year joined the Grand Ole Opry television program. Many of his songs were successfully recorded by other artists.“Your Cheatin' Heart, ” recorded in 1952, was released after his sudden death.

Williams, John

Wil |liams |ˈwɪljəmz | (b.1941 ), Australian guitarist and composer; full name John Christopher Williams. He made his name as a recitalist, noted for an eclectic repertoire that includes both classical and popular music.

Williams, J. P. R.

Wil |liams |ˈwɪljəmz | (b.1949 ), Welsh rugby union player; full name John Peter Rhys Williams. One of the leading full backs of the 1970s, Williams played for his country and for the British Lions.

Williams, Robin

Wil |liams |ˈwɪljəmz | (b.1952 ), American actor; full name Robin McLaurim Williams. He has starred in many films, in both comic and serious roles; notable films include Good Will Hunting (1997 ), for which he won an Oscar, Dead Poets Society (1989 ), and Mrs Doubtfire (1993 ).

Williams, Roger

Wil liams, Roger |ˈwilyəmz ˈwɪljəmz | ( c. 1603 –83 ), American clergyman; born in England. Banished from Massachusetts in 1635, he founded the colony of Rhode Island and, within it, the settlement of Providence in 1636 as a refuge from political and religious persecution. He served as Rhode Island's president 1654 –57.

Williams, Rowan

Wil liams, Rowan |ˈwilyəmz ˈwɪljəmz | (1950 –), Welsh Anglican clergyman; archbishop of Canterbury from 2002; full name Rowan Douglas Williams. His many books include Writing in the Dust: Reflections on 11th September and Its Aftermath (2002 ) and Anglican Identities (2004 ).

Williams, Serena

Wil liams, Serena |ˈwilyəmz ˈwɪljəmz | (1981 –), US tennis player; sister of Venus Williams; full name Serena Jameka Williams. During 1999 –2009, she won the women's singles titles at three US Open, three Wimbledon, one French Open, and four Australian Open tournaments.

Williams, Ted

Wil liams, Ted |ˈwilyəmz ˈwɪljəmz | (1918 –2002 ), US baseball player; full name Theodore Samuel Williams; nickname the Splendid Splinter. His career as an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox 1939 –1960 was interrupted by active duty in World War II and in Korea. His 1941 batting average of. 406 remains the last that high. Baseball Hall of Fame (1966 ).

Williams, Tennessee

Will iams, Tennessee |ˈwɪljəmz ˈwilyəmz | (1911 –83 ), US playwright; born Thomas Lanier Williams. His success began with The Glass Menagerie (1944 ) and A Streetcar Named Desire (1947 ), which deal with vulnerable heroines living in fragile fantasy worlds that are shattered by brutal reality. Other notable works: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955 ) and The Night of the Iguana (1962 ).

Williams, Venus

Wil liams, Venus |ˈwilyəmz ˈwɪljəmz | (1980 –), US tennis player; sister of Serena Williams; full name Venus Ebony Starr Williams. During 2000 –08, she won the women's singles title at two US Open, one French Open, one Australian Open, and five Wimbledon tournaments.

Williams, William Carlos

Will iams, William Carlos |ˈwɪljəmz ˈwilyəmz | (1883 –1963 ), US poet, essayist, novelist, and short-story writer. His poetry illuminates the ordinary by vivid, direct observation; it is characterized by avoidance of emotional content and the use of US vernacular. Collections include Spring and All (1923 ) and Pictures from Brueghel (1963 ).

Williamsburg

Wil liams burg |ˈwilyəmzˌbərg ˈwɪljəmzbərɡ | 1 a city in southeastern Virginia, between the James and York rivers; pop. 12,481 (est. 2008 ). It was the state capital of Virginia from 1699, when it was named in honor of William III, until 1799, when Richmond became the capital. A large part of the town has been restored and reconstructed so that it appears as it was during the colonial era. 2 a residential and industrial section of northern Brooklyn in New York City, noted for its Hasidic Jewish community and arts colony.

Williamson, Henry

Wil ¦liam |son |ˈwɪljəms (ə )n | (1895 –1977 ), English novelist. His works include Tarka the Otter (1927 ) and the fifteen-volume semi-autobiographical sequence A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight (1951 –69 ).

Williamsport

Wil liams port |ˈwilyəmzˌpôrt ˈwɪljəmzpɔrt | an industrial city in north central Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna River; the birthplace of Little League baseball; pop. 29,456 (est. 2008 ).

William the Conqueror

Will iam the Con quer or |wɪljəmðəˈkɒŋkərə (r )|, William I of England (see William ).

willies

wil lies |ˈwilēz ˈwɪliz | ▶plural noun (the willies ) informal a strong feeling of nervous apprehension and discomfort: that room gave him the willies . ORIGIN late 19th cent. (originally US ): of unknown origin.

willie wagtail

willie wagtail (also willy wagtail ) ▶noun Austral. a common Australian monarch flycatcher with striking black and white plumage. ●Rhipidura leucophrys, family Monarchidae. Alternative name: black and white fantail. • Brit. informal the pied wagtail.

willing

will ing |ˈwiliNG ˈwɪlɪŋ | ▶adjective [ often with infinitive ] ready, eager, or prepared to do something: he was quite willing to compromise. • given or done readily: willing and prompt obedience.

Willingboro

Will ing bo ro |ˈwiliNGˌbərə ˈwɪlɪŋˌbərə | a residential township in west central New Jersey, near the Delaware River; pop. 36,530 (est. 2008 ). It was founded as Levittown in 1959.

willingly

will ing ly |ˈwiliNGlē | ▶adverb readily; of one's own free will: she went willingly.

willingness

will ing ness |ˈwiliNGnis | ▶noun the quality or state of being prepared to do something; readiness: the ability and willingness of workers to migrate.

Williston

Will is ton |ˈwiləstən ˈwɪləstən | a city in northwestern North Dakota, on the northern banks of the Missouri River; pop. 12,641 (est. 2008 ).

williwaw

wil li waw |ˈwilēˌwô ˈwɪliwɔ | ▶noun a sudden violent squall blowing offshore from a mountainous coast. ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: of unknown origin.

Willkie, Wendell

Will kie, Wendell (1892 –1944 ) US politician and lawyer; full name Wendell Lewis Willkie. The Republican presidential candidate in 1940, he unsuccessfully ran against incumbent Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was running for his third term. He later supported Roosevelt's war effort programs and policies.

will-o'-the-wisp

will-o'-the-wisp |ˌwil ə T͟Hə ˈwisp ˈwɪl ə ðə ˈwɪsp | ▶noun a phosphorescent light seen hovering or floating at night over marshy ground, thought to result from the combustion of natural gases; ignis fatuus. • a person or thing that is difficult or impossible to find, reach, or catch. ORIGIN early 17th cent.: originally as Will with the wisp, the sense of wisp being ‘handful of (lighted ) hay. ’

willow

wil low |ˈwilō ˈwɪloʊ | ▶noun 1 (also willow tree ) a tree or shrub of temperate climates that typically has narrow leaves, bears catkins, and grows near water. Its pliant branches yield osiers for basketry, and its wood has various uses. [Genus Salix, family Salicaceae: many species. ] 2 a machine with revolving spikes used for cleaning cotton, wool, or other fibers. ORIGIN Old English welig, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wilg.

willow grouse

wil low grouse ▶noun another term for willow ptarmigan.

willow herb

wil low herb (also willowherb ) ▶noun a plant of temperate regions that typically has willowlike leaves and pink or pale purple flowers. [Epilobium and related genera, family Onagraceae: many species, including the common hairy willow herb (E. hirsutum ) and the common fireweed (E. angustifolium ).]

willow pattern

wil low pat tern |ˈwɪləʊpætn | ▶noun a conventional design representing a Chinese scene in blue on white pottery, typically showing three figures on a bridge, with a willow tree and two birds above: [ as modifier ] : a willow-pattern plate.

willow ptarmigan

wil low ptar mi gan ▶noun a common Eurasian and North American grouse with reddish-brown and white plumage, turning mainly white in winter. [Lagopus lagopus, family Tetraonidae (or Phasianidae ).See also red grouse . ]

willow tit

wil ¦low tit ▶noun a Eurasian tit (songbird ) with mainly grey-brown plumage, a dull black cap, and white cheeks. ●Parus montanus, family Paridae.

willow warbler

wil ¦low warb |ler ▶noun a small migratory Eurasian leaf warbler with mainly drab plumage and a tuneful song. ●Genus Phylloscopus, family Sylviidae: several species, in particular the common and widespread P. trochilus.

willowware

wil low ware |ˈwilōˌwe (ə )r ˈwɪloʊwɛr | ▶noun pottery with a willow-pattern design.

willowy

wil low y |ˈwilōē ˈwɪloʊi | ▶adjective 1 bordered, shaded, or covered by willows: willowy meadow land. 2 (of a person ) tall, slim, and lithe.

willpower

will pow er |ˈwilˌpou (ə )r ˈwɪlˌpaʊ (ə )r | ▶noun see will 2 ( sense 1 of the noun ).

Wills, William John

Wills |wɪlz | (1834 –61 ), English explorer. In 1860 he was a member of Robert Burke's expedition to cross Australia from south to north, but he died of starvation on the return journey.

Wills Moody, Helen

Wills Mood y, Helen |wilz ˌwɪlz ˈmudi | (1905 –98 ), US tennis player; born Helen Newington Wills. During 1923 –38, she won the women's singles title at eight Wimbledon, seven US Open, and four French Open tournaments.

willy

wil ly |ˈwilē ˈwɪli |(also willie ) ▶noun ( pl. willies ) informal a penis. ORIGIN early 20th cent.: nickname for the given name William .

willy-nilly

wil ly-nil ly |ˌwilē ˈnilē ˈˌwɪli ˈnɪli | ▶adverb 1 whether one likes it or not: he would be forced to collaborate willy-nilly. 2 without direction or planning; haphazardly: politicians expanded spending programs willy-nilly. ORIGIN early 17th cent.: later spelling of will I, nill I ‘I am willing, I am unwilling. ’

willy-willy

willy-willy |ˈwɪlɪwɪli | ▶noun ( pl. willy-willies ) Austral. a whirlwind or dust storm. ORIGIN from Yindjibarndi (an Aboriginal language of western Australia ) or Wemba-wemba (an Aboriginal language of SE Australia ).

Oxford Dictionary

will

will 1 |wɪl | ▶modal verb ( 3rd sing. present will; past would |wʊd | ) 1 expressing the future tense: you will regret it when you are older. • expressing a strong intention or assertion about the future: come what may, I will succeed. 2 expressing inevitable events: accidents will happen. 3 expressing a request: will you stop here, please. • expressing desire, consent, or willingness: will you have a cognac? 4 expressing facts about ability or capacity: a rock so light that it will float on water | your tank will hold about 26 gallons. 5 expressing habitual behaviour: she will dance for hours. • (pronounced stressing ‘will ’) indicating annoyance about the habitual behaviour described: he will keep intruding. 6 expressing probability or expectation about something in the present: they will be miles away by now. PHRASES will do informal expressing willingness to carry out a request or suggestion: ‘Might be best to check. ’ ‘Righty-ho, will do. ’.ORIGIN Old English wyllan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch willen, German wollen, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin velle ‘will, wish ’. usage: On the differences in use between will and shall, see usage at shall .

will

will 2 |wɪl | ▶noun 1 the faculty by which a person decides on and initiates action: she has an iron will | a battle of wills between children and their parents | [ mass noun ] : an act of will. • (also willpower ) [ mass noun ] control deliberately exerted to do something or to restrain one's own impulses: a stupendous effort of will. • a deliberate or fixed desire or intention: Jane had not wanted them to stay against their will | [ with infinitive ] : the will to live. • the thing that one desires or ordains: Jane tells St. John that she could marry him if she only knew it was God's will. 2 a legal document containing instructions as to what should be done with one's money and property after one's death. ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 chiefly formal or literary intend, desire, or wish (something ) to happen: their friendship flourished particularly because Adams willed it. • [ with obj. and infinitive ] make or try to make (someone ) do something or (something ) happen by the exercise of mental powers: reluctantly he willed himself to turn and go back | she stared into the fog, willing it to clear. 2 (will something to ) bequeath something to (someone ) by the terms of one's will. • [ with clause ] leave specified instructions in one's will: he willed that his body should be given to the hospital. PHRASES at will at whatever time or in whatever way one pleases: he seemed to think he could walk in and out of her life at will. have a will of one's own have a wilful character. have one's will archaic obtain what one wants. if you will said when politely asking someone to do or consider something: imagine, if you will, a typical silversmith's shop. what you will what you want or like: activists, campaigners, educators —call them what you will, they have a tough task in this country. where there's a will there's a way proverb determination will overcome any obstacle. with the best will in the world however good one's intentions (used to imply that success in a particular undertaking is unlikely although desired ). with a will energetically and resolutely. DERIVATIVES willed adjective [ in combination ] : a strong-willed woman ORIGIN Old English willa (noun ), willian (verb ), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wil, German Wille (nouns ), also to will 1 and the adverb well 1 .

Will, George F.

Willamette River

Wil lam ette Riv er |wəˈlamit wəˌlæmɪt ˈrɪvər | a river that flows for 300 miles (480 km ) through western Oregon to the Columbia River.

Willard, Emma

Willard, Emma |ˈwɪlɑːd | (1787 –1870 ), American educational reformer. She founded a boarding school in Vermont (1814 ) to teach subjects not then available to women, such as mathematics and philosophy.

Willard, Frances

will-call

willemite

willemite |ˈwɪləmʌɪt | ▶noun [ mass noun ] a mineral, typically greenish-yellow and fluorescent, consisting of a silicate of zinc. ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: from the name of Willem I (1772 –1843 ), king of the Netherlands, + -ite 1 .

Willemstad

Willemstad |ˈwɪləmstɑːt, ˈvɪl -| the capital of the Netherlands Antilles, situated on the SW coast of the island of Curaçao; pop. 120,000 (est. 2007 ).

willet

willet |ˈwɪlɪt | ▶noun ( pl. same or willets ) a large North American sandpiper. ●Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, family Scolopacidae. ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: imitative of its call, pill-will-willet.

willful

will |ful ▶adjective US variant spelling of wilful.

William

Wil |liam |ˈwɪljəm | the name of two kings of England and two of Great Britain and Ireland: • William I ( c. 1027 –87 ), reigned 1066 –87, the first Norman king of England; known as William the Conqueror. He invaded England and defeated Harold II at the Battle of Hastings (1066 ). He introduced Norman institutions and customs (including feudalism ) and instigated the Domesday Book. • William II ( c. 1060 –1100 ), son of William I, reigned 1087 –1100; known as William Rufus. William crushed rebellions in 1088 and 1095 and also campaigned against his brother Robert, Duke of Normandy (1089 –96 ), ultimately acquiring the duchy. He was killed by an arrow while out hunting. • William III (1650 –1702 ), grandson of Charles I, husband of Mary II, reigned 1689 –1702; known as William of Orange. In 1688 he deposed James II at the invitation of disaffected politicians and, having accepted the Declaration of Rights, was crowned along with his wife Mary. • William IV (1765 –1837 ), son of George III, reigned 1830 –7; known as the Sailor King. Having served in the Royal Navy, he came to the throne after the death of his brother George IV. In 1834 he intervened in political affairs by imposing the Conservative Robert Peel as Prime Minister, despite a Whig majority in Parliament.

William I

William I 1 |wɪljəmðəˈfɜːst | (1143 –1214 ), grandson of David I, king of Scotland 1165 –1214; known as William the Lion. He attempted to reassert Scottish independence but was forced to pay homage to Henry II of England after being captured by him in 1174.

William I

William I 2 |wɪljəmðəˈfɜːst | (1533 –84 ), prince of the House of Orange, first stadtholder (chief magistrate ) of the United Provinces of the Netherlands 1572 –84; known as William the Silent. He led a revolt against Spain from 1568 and was assassinated by a Spanish agent.

William of Occam

William of Occam |ˈɒkəm |(also Ockham ) ( c. 1285 –1349 ), English philosopher and Franciscan friar. A defender of nominalism, he is known for the maxim called ‘Occam's razor ’.

William of Orange

Wil |liam of Or ¦ange William III of Great Britain and Ireland (see William ).

William Rufus

Wil |liam Rufus see William.

Williams

Wil |liams |ˈwɪljəmz | ▶noun a dessert pear of an early green variety. ORIGIN early 19th cent.: named after its first distributor in England.

Williams, Hank

Wil |liams |ˈwɪljəmz | (1923 –53 ), American country singer and songwriter; born Hiram King Williams. Williams had the first of many country hits, ‘Lovesick Blues ’, in 1949; ‘Your Cheatin' Heart ’ (recorded 1952 ) was released after his sudden death.

Williams, John

Williams, J. P. R.

Williams, Robin

Williams, Roger

Williams, Rowan

Wil |liams |ˈwɪljəmz | (b.1950 ), Welsh Anglican churchman and theologian, Archbishop of Canterbury since 2002; full name Rowan Douglas Williams. He became Professor of Divinity at Oxford in 1986 and in 1999 was elected Archbishop of Wales.

Williams, Serena

Williams, Serena |ˈwɪljəmz | (b.1981 ), American tennis player, sister of Venus Williams; full name Serena Jameka Williams.

Williams, Ted

Williams, Tennessee

Wil |liams |ˈwɪljəmz | (1911 –83 ), American dramatist; born Thomas Lanier Williams. He achieved success with The Glass Menagerie (1944 ) and A Streetcar Named Desire (1947 ), which deal with the tragedy of vulnerable heroines living in fragile fantasy worlds shattered by brutal reality. Other notable works: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955 ) and The Night of the Iguana (1962 ).

Williams, Venus

Wil |liams |ˈwɪljəmz | (b.1980 ), American tennis player, sister of Serena Williams; full name Venus Ebony Starr Williams.

Williams, William Carlos

Wil |liams |ˈwɪljəmz | (1883 –1963 ), American poet, essayist, novelist, and short-story writer. His poetry is characterized by avoidance of emotional content and the use of American vernacular. Collections include Spring and All (1923 ).

Williamsburg

Williamsburg |ˈwɪljəmzbəːg | a city in SE Virginia, between the James and York Rivers; pop. 12,481 (est. 2008 ). It was the state capital of Virginia from 1699, when it was renamed in honour of William III, until 1799, when Richmond became the capital.

Williamson, Henry

Williamsport

Wil liams port |ˈwilyəmzˌpôrt ˈwɪljəmzpɔrt | an industrial city in north central Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna River; the birthplace of Little League baseball; pop. 29,456 (est. 2008 ).

William the Conqueror

Wil |liam the Conqueror |wɪljəmðəˈkɒŋkərə (r )| see William.

willie

wil ¦lie ▶noun variant spelling of willy.

willies

wil |lies |ˈwɪlɪz | ▶plural noun (the willies ) informal a strong feeling of nervous discomfort: that room gave him the willies . ORIGIN late 19th cent. (originally US ): of unknown origin.

willie wagtail

willing

will |ing |ˈwɪlɪŋ | ▶adjective ready, eager, or prepared to do something: [ with infinitive ] : he was quite willing to compromise. • given or done readily: willing and prompt obedience. PHRASES show willing see show.

Willingboro

Will ing bo ro |ˈwiliNGˌbərə ˈwɪlɪŋˌbərə | a residential township in west central New Jersey, near the Delaware River; pop. 36,530 (est. 2008 ). It was founded as Levittown in 1959.

willingly

will |ing ¦ly |ˈwɪlɪŋli | ▶adverb readily; of one's own free will: she went willingly.

willingness

will ¦ing |ness |ˈwɪlɪŋnɪs | ▶noun [ mass noun ] the quality or state of being prepared to do something; readiness: the ability and willingness of workers to migrate.

Williston

Will is ton |ˈwiləstən ˈwɪləstən | a city in northwestern North Dakota, on the northern banks of the Missouri River; pop. 12,641 (est. 2008 ).

williwaw

williwaw |ˈwɪlɪwɔː | ▶noun a sudden violent squall blowing offshore from a mountainous coast. ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: of unknown origin.

Willkie, Wendell

will-o'-the-wisp

will-o'-the-wisp |wɪləðəˈwɪsp | ▶noun a phosphorescent light seen hovering or floating at night on marshy ground, thought to result from the combustion of natural gases. • a person or thing that is difficult or impossible to reach or catch. ORIGIN early 17th cent.: originally as Will with the wisp, the sense of wisp being ‘handful of (lighted ) hay ’.

willow

willow |ˈwɪləʊ |(also willow tree ) ▶noun a tree or shrub of temperate climates which typically has narrow leaves, bears catkins, and grows near water. Its pliant branches yield osiers for basketry, and the timber is traditionally used to make cricket bats. ●Genus Salix, family Salicaceae: many species. ORIGIN Old English welig, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wilg.

willow grouse

wil ¦low grouse ▶noun a common Eurasian and North American grouse with reddish-brown and white plumage, turning mainly white in winter. ●Lagopus lagopus, family Tetraonidae (or Phasianidae ). See also red grouse .

willowherb

willow |herb |ˈwɪləʊhəːb | ▶noun a plant of temperate regions that typically has willow-like leaves and pink or pale purple flowers. ●Epilobium and related genera, family Onagraceae: many species, including the common great hairy willowherb (E. hirsutum ) of Eurasia, and the rosebay.

willow pattern

wil ¦low pat |tern |ˈwɪləʊpatn | ▶noun a conventional design representing a Chinese scene in blue on white pottery, typically showing three figures on a bridge, with a willow tree and two birds above: [ as modifier ] : a willow-pattern plate.

willow ptarmigan

wil ¦low ptar |migan ▶noun North American term for willow grouse.

willow tit

wil ¦low tit ▶noun a Eurasian tit (songbird ) with mainly grey-brown plumage, a dull black cap, and white cheeks. ●Parus montanus, family Paridae.

willow warbler

willowware

willow |ware |ˈwɪləʊwɛː | ▶noun [ mass noun ] chiefly US pottery with a willow-pattern design.

willow wren

wil ¦low wren ▶noun Brit. another term for willow warbler.

willowy

wil |lowy |ˈwɪləʊi | ▶adjective ( willowier, willowiest ) 1 bordered, shaded, or covered by willows: willowy meadow land. 2 (of a person ) tall, slim, and lithe.

willpower

will |power |ˈwɪlpaʊə (r )| ▶noun see will 2 ( sense 1 of the noun ).

Wills, William John

Wills |wɪlz | (1834 –61 ), English explorer. In 1860 he was a member of Robert Burke's expedition to cross Australia from south to north, but he died of starvation on the return journey.

Wills Moody, Helen

willy

willy |ˈwɪli |(also willie ) ▶noun ( pl. willies ) Brit. informal a penis. ORIGIN early 20th cent.: pet form of the given name William .

willy-nilly

willy-nilly |wɪliˈnɪli | ▶adverb 1 whether one likes it or not: he would be forced to collaborate willy-nilly. 2 without direction or planning; haphazardly: politicians expanded spending programmes willy-nilly. ORIGIN early 17th cent.: later spelling of will I, nill I ‘I am willing, I am unwilling ’.

willy wagtail

willy wag |tail ▶noun variant spelling of willie wagtail.

willy-willy

American Oxford Thesaurus

will

will 1 verb accidents will happen: tend to, have a tendency to, are bound to, do, are going to, must.

will

will 2 noun 1 the will to succeed: determination, willpower, strength of character, resolution, resolve, resoluteness, single-mindedness, purposefulness, drive, commitment, dedication, doggedness, tenacity, tenaciousness, staying power. 2 they stayed against their will: desire, wish, preference, inclination, intention, intent, volition. 3 God's will: wish, desire, decision, choice; decree, command. 4 the dead man's will: testament, last will and testament, bequest. ▶verb 1 do what you will: want, wish, please, see /think fit, think best, like, choose, prefer. 2 God willed it: decree, order, ordain, command. 3 she willed the money to her husband: bequeath, leave, hand down, pass on, settle on; Law devise. PHRASES at will he thought he could walk in and out of my life at will: as one pleases, as one thinks fit, to suit oneself, at whim.

willful

willful adjective 1 willful destruction: deliberate, intentional, done on purpose, premeditated, planned, conscious. ANTONYMS accidental, unintentional. 2 a willful child: headstrong, strong-willed, obstinate, stubborn, pigheaded, recalcitrant, uncooperative, obstreperous, ungovernable, unmanageable; balky; formal refractory, contumacious. ANTONYMS biddable, amenable.

willing

willing adjective 1 I'm willing to give it a try: ready, prepared, disposed, inclined, of a mind, minded; happy, glad, pleased, agreeable, amenable; informal game. ANTONYMS reluctant, disinclined. 2 willing help: readily given, willingly given, ungrudging, volunteered. ANTONYMS grudging.

willingly

willingly adverb I willingly agreed to make a donation: voluntarily, of one's own free will, of one's own accord; readily, without reluctance, ungrudgingly, cheerfully, happily, gladly, with pleasure.

willingness

willingness noun we appreciate your willingness to help: readiness, inclination, will, wish, desire, alacrity.

willowy

willowy adjective as willowy as a young Doris Day: tall, slim, slender, svelte, lissome, sylphlike, long-limbed, graceful, lithe; informal slinky.

willpower

willpower noun See will 2 (sense 1 of the noun ).

willy-nilly

willy-nilly adverb cars were parked willy-nilly: haphazardly, at random, randomly, every which way, here and there, all over the place, in no apparent order.

Oxford Thesaurus

will

will 1 verb accidents will happen: have a tendency to, are bound to, have a habit of, do.

will

will 2 noun 1 she has the will to succeed | a stupendous effort of will: determination, firmness of purpose, fixity of purpose, will power, strength of character, resolution, resolve, resoluteness, purposefulness, single-mindedness, drive, commitment, dedication, doggedness, tenacity, tenaciousness, staying power, backbone, spine; self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline, self-mastery; volition; German Sitzfleisch; informal stickability; N. Amer. informal stick-to-it-iveness; rare perseveration. 2 Jane had not wanted them to stay against their will | the political will of the electorate: desire, wish, preference, inclination, mind, disposition; intention, intent. 3 they believed it to be God's will: wish, desire, decision, choice, intention; decree, ordinance, command, dictate. 4 freedom of the will: volition, choice, option, decision, discretion, prerogative. 5 his late father's will: testament, last will and testament, last wishes; bequest (s ).PHRASES at will he seemed to think he could walk in and out of my life at will: as one pleases, as one wishes, as one thinks fit, to suit oneself, at one's pleasure, at one's inclination /discretion, at whim. ▶verb 1 do what you will —it makes no difference to me: want, wish, desire, please, see /think fit, think best, like, feel like; choose, prefer. 2 God willed it: decree, order, ordain, command, direct; intend, wish, want. 3 she willed the money to her husband: bequeath, leave, give, hand down, hand on, pass on, settle on, make over, transfer, gift; Law devise.

willing

willing adjective 1 I'm perfectly willing to give it a try | a crowd of willing helpers: ready, prepared, disposed, inclined, nothing loath, of a mind, so minded, minded, in the mood; happy, glad, pleased; eager, keen, enthusiastic; consenting, agreeable, amenable, accommodating, obliging, compliant, acquiescent; informal game. ANTONYMS unwilling, reluctant, disinclined. 2 there was no lack of willing help: readily given, gladly given, willingly given, promptly given, ungrudging. ANTONYMS grudging.

willingly

willingly adverb Joe had gone with her willingly | those who willingly gave their time to help us: voluntarily, of one's own free will, of one's own accord, of one's own volition, by choice; readily, without hesitation, without reluctance, ungrudgingly, cheerfully, happily, gladly, with pleasure, with good grace, eagerly, enthusiastically; freely, spontaneously, unforced; informal at the drop of a hat, like a shot. ANTONYMS reluctantly, unwillingly.

willingness

willingness noun many people have expressed a willingness to help: readiness, preparedness, disposition, inclination, will, wish, desire; eagerness, keenness, enthusiasm. ANTONYMS reluctance, unwillingness.

willowy

willowy adjective a willowy blonde: tall, slim, slender, lean, svelte, lissom, sylphlike, snake-hipped, rangy, long-limbed, clean-limbed, graceful, lithe, loose-limbed; informal slinky; rare gracile, attenuate. ANTONYMS short, fat.

will power

will power noun it took every ounce of will power she possessed not to give in: determination, strength of will, strength of character, firmness of purpose, fixity of purpose, resolution, resolve, resoluteness, purposefulness, single-mindedness, drive, commitment, dedication, doggedness, tenacity, tenaciousness, staying power, backbone, spine; self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline, self-mastery; German Sitzfleisch; informal stickability; N. Amer. informal stick-to-it-iveness; rare perseveration.

willy-nilly

willy-nilly adverb 1 cars and trucks were parked willy-nilly: haphazardly, at random, randomly, without planning, without method. 2 it is becoming painfully obvious that we are, willy-nilly, in a totally new situation: whether one likes it or not, of necessity, necessarily; one way or the other; Latin nolens volens; informal like it or not, like it or lump it; formal perforce.

Duden Dictionary

will

will wollen |w i ll |

Will

Will Eigenname |W i ll |männlicher Vorname

Wille

Wil le , Wil len Substantiv, maskulin , der selten Willen |W i lle W i llen |der Wille; Genitiv: des Willens, Plural: die Willen mittelhochdeutsch wille, althochdeutsch willio, zu wollen das Wollen; Fähigkeit des Menschen, sich für bestimmte Handlungen zu entscheiden ein starker, eiserner, entschlossener, unerschütterlicher, schwankender, schwacher Wille | unser aller Wille | der Wille des Volkes zum Frieden | Gottes unerforschlicher Wille | dies war der Wille des Verstorbenen | es war kein böser Wille von mir | es war mein freier Wille, dies zu tun | der gute Wille allein reicht nicht aus | jemandes Willen erfüllen, ausführen, beeinflussen, lähmen | guten, den besten Willen zeigen, mitbringen | seinen Willen durchsetzen | jemandem seinen Willen aufzwingen | lass ihm seinen Willen (lass ihn das tun, was er unbedingt will, auch wenn es nicht einzusehen ist ) | es ist sicher nicht gut, wenn man dem Kind immer den /seinen /allen Willen tut (wenn man immer das tut, was das Kind will ) | er hat den festen Willen (ist fest entschlossen ), sich zu ändern | sie hat ihren eigenen Willen (weiß, was sie will; ist willensstark ) | er hat keinen Willen ist unentschlossen, willensschwach | sich einem fremden Willen beugen | er ist voll guten Willens (ist sehr bemüht, das zu tun, was erwartet wird ) | die Unbeugsamkeit seines Willens | auf seinem Willen beharren | etwas aus freiem Willen tun | am guten Willen (an der Bereitschaft, dem Sichbemühen ) hat es bei ihm nicht gefehlt | das geschah gegen /wider meinen Willen, ohne [Wissen und ] Willen seiner Eltern | es steht ganz in deinem Willen (in deinem Ermessen ), dies zu tun | bei /mit einigem guten Willen wäre es gegangen | es wird nach dem Willen der Mehrheit entschieden | wenn es nach meinem Willen gegangen wäre (wenn es so gemacht worden wäre, wie ich es vorhatte, wie ich wollte ), hätten wir alles längst hinter uns | trotz ihres guten Willens (ihrer Bereitschaft, ihren großen Bemühungen ) wurde aus der Sache nichts der Letzte /letzte Wille Testament 1 den guten Willen für die Tat nehmen annehmen, dass sich jemand bemüht hat, auch wenn es ohne Erfolg blieb mit Willen landschaftlich, sonst veraltend Fleiß 2 wider Willen ungewollt, unbeabsichtigt jemandem zu Willen sein gehoben veraltend sich jemandem unterwerfen; ausführen, tun, was jemand will, verlangt; veraltet sich jemandem hingeben wo ein Wille ist, ist auch ein Weg /(scherzhaft: ) Gebüsch wenn man etwas ernsthaft will, findet man auch eine Möglichkeit, es zu erreichen

Willegis

Wil le gis Eigenname |W i llegis |männlicher Vorname

willen

wil len Präposition |w i llen |Präposition mit Genitiv eigentlich erstarrter Akkusativ Singular von Wille in der Fügung um jemandes, einer Sache willen jemandem, einer Sache zuliebe; mit Rücksicht auf jemanden, etwas; im Interesse einer Person, Sache er hat es um seines Bruders, seiner selbst, des lieben Friedens willen getan

willenlos

wil len los Adjektiv |w i llenlos |ohne eigenen Willen; keinen festen Willen zeigend ein willenloses Geschöpf | er war völlig willenlos , ließ alles willenlos über sich ergehen

Willenlosigkeit

Wil len lo sig keit Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llenlosigkeit |das Willenlossein

willens

wil lens |w i llens |Adjektiv aus: des Willens sein in der Verbindung willens sein, etwas zu tun gehoben bereit, entschlossen sein, etwas zu tun sie war willens , sich zu bessern

Willensakt

Wil lens akt Substantiv, maskulin , der |W i llensakt |durch den Willen ausgelöste Tat, Handlung

Willensanspannung

Wil lens an span nung Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llensanspannung |Konzentration des Willens zur Erreichung eines Ziels

Willensäußerung

Wil lens äu ße rung Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llensäußerung |Äußerung des Willens, eines Entschlusses

Willensbekundung

Wil lens be kun dung Substantiv, feminin gehoben , die |W i llensbekundung | vgl. Willensäußerung

Willensbildung

Wil lens bil dung Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llensbildung |ohne Plural das Sichherausbilden dessen, was jemand, eine Gemeinschaft will

Willenserklärung

Wil lens er klä rung Substantiv, feminin besonders Rechtssprache , die |W i llenserklärung |Willensäußerung mit dem Ziel, rechtlich etwas zu erreichen

Willensfreiheit

Wil lens frei heit Substantiv, feminin besonders Philosophie, Theologie , die |W i llensfreiheit |Fähigkeit des Menschen, nach eigenem Willen zu handeln, sich frei zu entscheiden

Willenskraft

Wil lens kraft Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llenskraft |Fähigkeit eines Menschen zur Willensanspannung seine Willenskraft befähigte ihn dazu, diese schwierige Aufgabe zu lösen

Willenskundgebung

Wil lens kund ge bung Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llenskundgebung |vgl. Willensäußerung

willensschwach

wil lens schwach Adjektiv |w i llensschwach |nur einen schwachen Willen besitzend ein willensschwacher Mensch

Willensschwäche

Wil lens schwä che Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llensschwäche |Mangel an Willenskraft

willensstark

wil lens stark Adjektiv |w i llensstark |einen starken Willen besitzend ein willensstarker Mensch

Willensstärke

Wil lens stär ke Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llensstärke |hohes Maß an Willenskraft

willentlich

wil lent lich Adjektiv gehoben |w i llentlich |mit voller Absicht, ganz bewusst willentlich gegen etwas verstoßen

willfahren

will fah ren schwaches Verb gehoben willfahren |willf a hren |schwaches Verb; willfahrte, hat willfahrt spätmittelhochdeutsch willenvarn, mittelhochdeutsch eines willen varen = auf jemandes Willen achten jemandes Willen, Wunsch, Bitten, Forderungen entsprechen was sie auch verlangte, er willfahrte ihr immer | jemandes Bitte willfahren (nachkommen )

willfahren

will fah ren schwaches Verb gehoben willfahren |w i llfahren |schwaches Verb; willfahrte, hat gewillfahrt spätmittelhochdeutsch willenvarn, mittelhochdeutsch eines willen varen = auf jemandes Willen achten jemandes Willen, Wunsch, Bitten, Forderungen entsprechen

willfährig

will fäh rig Adjektiv gehoben, oft abwertend |w i llfährig |ohne Bedenken, in würdeloser Weise bereit, zu tun, was ein anderer von einem fordert ein willfähriger Handlanger | er war dem Minister stets willfährig | gehoben veraltet seine Frau musste ihm stets willfährig sein seinen sexuellen Wünschen nachkommen

Willfährigkeit

Will fäh rig keit Substantiv, feminin gehoben, oft abwertend , die |W i llfährigkeit |die Willfährigkeit; Genitiv: der Willfährigkeit, Plural: die Willfährigkeiten Plural selten willfährige Art

Willi

Wil li Eigenname |W i lli |männlicher Vorname

William

Wil liam Eigenname |W i lliam …li̯əm |männlicher Vorname

Williams Christ

Wil liams Christ Substantiv, maskulin , der |W i lliams Chr i st |der Williams Christ; Genitiv: des Williams Christ, Williams Christ aus Williams Christbirnen hergestellter Branntwein

Williams Christbirne

Wil liams Christ bir ne Substantiv, feminin , die |W i lliams Chr i stbirne |die Williams Christbirne; Genitiv: der Williams Christbirne, Williams Christbirnen Herkunft ungeklärt große Birne mit gelber, bräunlich gepunkteter Schale und gelblich weißem, zartem, fein aromatischem Fruchtfleisch

Willibald

Wil li bald Eigenname Willibrord |W i llibald |männlicher Vorname

Willibrord

Wil li brord Eigenname Willibald |W i llibrord |männlicher Vorname

willig

wil lig Adjektiv |w i llig |mittelhochdeutsch willec, althochdeutsch willig, zu Wille gern bereit, zu tun, was gefordert wird; guten Willen zeigend ein williger Zuhörer | ein sehr williges Kind | sich willig fügen

Willige

Wil li ge substantiviertes Adjektiv, feminin |W i llige |die /eine Willige; der /einer Willigen, die Willigen /zwei Willige weibliche Person, die bereit ist, etwas zu tun, was von ihr gefordert, erwartet wird

willigen

wil li gen schwaches Verb gehoben |w i lligen |schwaches Verb; Perfektbildung mit »hat « mittelhochdeutsch willigen = willig machen; bewilligen; einwilligen sich mit etwas einverstanden erklären; (in etwas ) einwilligen in eine Scheidung, Reise willigen

Williger

Wil li ger substantiviertes Adjektiv, maskulin |W i lliger |der Willige /ein Williger; des /eines Willigen; die Willigen /zwei Willige jemand, der bereit ist, etwas zu tun, was von ihm gefordert, erwartet wird

Willigis

Wil li gis Willegis |W i lligis |

Williram

Wil li ram Eigenname |W i lliram |männlicher Vorname

Willkomm

Will komm Substantiv, maskulin , der |W i llkomm |1 mittelhochdeutsch willekom, wohl substantivischer Begrüßungsruf »willkomm! «seltener Willkommen 2 früher Pokal für den einem Ehrengast gereichten Willkommenstrunk

willkommen

will kom men Adjektiv |willk o mmen |mittelhochdeutsch willekomen, spätalthochdeutsch willechomen, eigentlich = (du bist ) nach Willen (= nach Wunsch ) gekommen sehr passend und erwünscht eine willkommene Gelegenheit zum Feiern | eine willkommene Abwechslung | willkommene Gäste | das Angebot war [ihr ] sehr willkommen | Sie sind uns jederzeit willkommen (wir freuen uns immer, wenn Sie zu uns kommen ) | in Formeln zur Begrüßung bei jemandes Empfang [sei ] willkommen !, herzlich willkommen !, willkommen bei uns! | willkommen in der Heimat! jemanden willkommen heißen jemanden zum Empfang begrüßen er hieß seine Gäste willkommen

Willkommen

Will kom men Substantiv, Neutrum oder Substantiv, maskulin , das oder der |Willk o mmen |das, selten auch: der Willkommen; Genitiv: des Willkommens, Plural: die Willkommen Begrüßung zum Empfang jemandem ein fröhliches, kühles, ziemlich frostiges Willkommen bereiten, entbieten

willkommen heißen

will kom men hei ßen |w i llkommen heißen |jemanden zum Empfang freundlich begrüßen

Willkommensgruß

Will kom mens gruß Substantiv, maskulin , der |Willk o mmensgruß |Gruß zum Empfang

Willkommenstrunk

Will kom mens trunk Substantiv, maskulin gehoben , der |Willk o mmenstrunk |Getränk, das jemandem zur Begrüßung gereicht wird

Willkür

Will kür Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llkür |die Willkür; Genitiv: der Willkür mittelhochdeutsch wil (le )kür, aus Wille und Kür , eigentlich = Entschluss, Beschluss des Willens (= freie Wahl oder Entschließung )Verhaltensweise, die ohne Rücksicht auf andere nur den eigenen Wünschen und Interessen folgt politische, staatliche Willkür | das ist die reine Willkür | überall herrschte Willkür | der Willkür eines andern ausgeliefert sein | von der Willkür anderer abhängig sein

Willkürakt

Will kür akt Substantiv, maskulin , der |W i llkürakt |vgl. Willkürmaßnahme

Willkürherrschaft

Will kür herr schaft Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llkürherrschaft |durch Willkür geprägte Herrschaft, unumschränkte Gewaltherrschaft

willkürlich

will kür lich Adjektiv |w i llkürlich |spätmittelhochdeutsch willekürlich 1 a durch Willkür gekennzeichnet willkürliche Anordnungen, Maßnahmen | jemanden willkürlich benachteiligen b unsystematisch und auf Zufall beruhend eine willkürliche Auswahl | etwas ganz willkürlich festlegen 2 vom Willen oder Bewusstsein gesteuert willkürliche Bewegungen | bestimmte Muskeln lassen sich nicht willkürlich in Tätigkeit setzen

Willkürmaßnahme

Will kür maß nah me Substantiv, feminin , die |W i llkürmaßnahme |durch Willkür gekennzeichnete, rücksichtslose Maßnahme

Willkürverbot

Will kür ver bot Substantiv, Neutrum Rechtssprache , das |W i llkürverbot |für die Verwaltung und den Gesetzgeber geltendes Verbot, bei ihren Entscheidungen willkürlich vorzugehen

willst

willst wollen |w i llst |

Willy

Wil ly Eigenname Wilm |W i lly …li |männlicher Vorname

Sanseido Wisdom Dictionary

Will

Will /wɪl /名詞ウィル〘男の名; Williamの愛称〙.

will

will /w (ə )l, (ə )l , ｟強｠wɪl /〖もとは動詞で「望む欲する」の意＞助動詞 ; 〗→could 語源 , won't 語源 (形 )willing 助動詞二人称単数現在形｟古｠wilt /w (ə )lt , ｟強｠wɪlt /; 過去形would /(w )əd , ｟強｠wʊd / (!過去形wouldの用法は →would ) 語法 willの短縮形 1 ｟話 /くだけた書｠ではwillの短縮形 'll /l /, 否定形will notの短縮形won 't /woʊnt /または 'll notが用いられることがある (→won't ).2 短縮形 'llは通例母音で終わる語の後で用いられるが (I'll, we'll, there'llなど ), 次のように子音で終わる語の後で用いられることもある. a. (不定 )代名詞: that, this, everything, oneなど .b. 日常的名詞: thing (s ), kid (s ), dadなど .c. 疑問詞: what, which, howなど .3 次の場合には 'llは避けられる. a. willを強調する場合 (↓3 a , 4 , 6 ).b. willまたはwill beで文が終わる場合 ▸ “Will you go? ” “Yes, I will [╳I'll ].”「あなたは行きますか」「はい」.c. 主語が … and Iとなる場合 ▸ Bill and I will [╳I'll ] help you .ビルと私があなたのお手伝いをします .【単純未来】1 〖未来予定; 一人称二人称三人称主語で〗a. 〈人物事が〉…だろう , …でしょう , …する (!(1 )人の意志が関係しない未来の事柄を表し, ｟かたく /書｠で公の告知や業務上の取り決め予定などについて述べるときはbe going to do より好まれる; →go 1 自動詞 7 . (2 )通例出来事が生じる時を示す副詞 (句 )を伴う. (3 )shallとの使い分けについては →shall 類義 ) ▸ I will graduate next year .私は来年卒業します ▸ Hurry up, or you won't be able to catch the train .急ぎなさい, そうでないと列車に間に合いませんよ ▸ John will be severely punished for it .ジョンはそのことでひどく罰せられるでしょう ▸ Something good will happen. ≒There will be something good .何かよいことが起こるだろう ▸ It will rain in the afternoon .午後に雨が降るだろう (!時を示さずに ╳It will rain. としない ) ▸ You'll regret it for the rest of your life .一生後悔するぞ (!脅迫を表す ) ▸ Will you be here tomorrow? あなたは明日ここにいますか (!意志未来として解釈すれば「ここにいるつもりですか」あるいは「ここにいてください」となる; 単純未来であることを明示するには現在進行形または未来進行形を用いる; ↓1 b ) ▸ How will I use this? これをどうやって使ったらよいのだろう (!途方に暮れて ) ▸ The show will take place in March next year .｟かたく /書｠ショーは来年3月に行われる予定だ ▸ It is important to learn from your mistakes so that they will not happen again .2度と起こらないように間違いから学ぶことが重要だ (!目的を表すso that …やin order that …に続く節で ) .b. 〖～ be doing 〗…している (ことになる )だろう (!(1 )未来における進行状況一時的状態を表したり (↓5 a ), 話し手の意志と無関係な日常の決まった仕事や自然の成り行き, 他のだれかによって決められた予定を述べるときによく用いられる. (2 )他の未来表現については →go 1 自動詞 7 a 類義 ) ▸ By this time tomorrow. I'll be relaxing on the beach .明日の今頃は海岸でくつろいでいるだろう ▸ Attention shoppers, the store will be closing in five minutes .お客様にお知らせします . 当店はあと5分ほどで閉店いたします ▸ I'll be staying in Tokyo next week .私は来週東京に滞在する予定です (≒I'm staying …) (!(1 )｟コーパス｠同じ文脈ですでに未来を表す進行形が用いられている時はより遠い未来に言及する際に好まれる. (2 )I'll stay in Tokyo next week. (来週は東京に滞在します )は発話時の意志約束を表す ) ▸ When will you be coming back to Japan? (状況から考えて )いつ日本に帰ってくることになりそうですか (!未来進行形は意志の意味を弱めてWhen will you [are you going to ] come back …?(いつ日本に帰ってくるつもりですか )より丁寧に響く; ↓3 a ) ▸ I will be talking about it until I die .私は死ぬまでその話をし続けるだろう .c. 〖～ have done 〗…してしまっているだろう (!(1 )未来のある時点における完了継続を表し, 通例時を表す副詞 (句 )を伴う. (2 )｟くだけて｠では短縮形will 've doneも可能だが｟まれ｠) ▸ The rain will have passed by tomorrow .明日には雨は通り過ぎているだろう ▸ By next year, I will have been studying English for 10 years .来年で私は英語を10年間勉強していることになります (!will have studied …と違ってまだ勉強がこれからも続くことを暗示 ) .語法 1 時条件の副詞節と will after, as soon as, before , by the time, directly, if , immediately, the moment, since, till, unless, until, when , whether, whileなどで始まる時や条件を表す副詞節中では, 単純未来のwillは用いない. ただし, be going to do や別用法のwouldは可能 (→when 接続詞 1a 語法 (2 ), →will 助動詞 1 語法 (2 )) ▸ I'll be back when it's time .時間になったら帰るよ (╳I'll be back when it will be time. としない )2 名詞節と will 未来の内容を表す名詞節ではwillを使用可能, 特に可能性や疑念に言及するassume, be afraid, believe, bet, be certain, doubt, expect, hope, suppose, be sure, thinkなどの語句の後ではしばしばwillが用いられる ▸ A [The ] time will come when you'll thank me for this .このことで私に感謝するときが来ますよ ▸ I hope they (will ) agree to do it .彼らがそれをすることに同意してくれればと思います (!hopeとbetは未来の内容でも現在形で代用されることがある ) .2 ｟かたい話｠〖命令; 二人称三人称主語で〗…しなさい (must ) (!話者の権威を強調し高圧的な強い命令を表す ) ▸ He said to me, “You'll do what I say! ”彼は「私の言うことをやりなさい」と私に言った (≒He told me to do what he said. ) (!過去形wouldにこの用法はないため, ╳He said that I would do … としない ) ▸ All the members will attend the meeting .全員が会議に出席すること【意志未来】3 a. 〖意志; 一人称主語で〗〈私が〉…する , …しよう (!(1 )一人称主語では発話の瞬間に生じた話し手の意志を表し, ｟話｠ではしばしばI 'll, we'llのように短縮される; 間接話法では二三人称の, 疑問文条件文では二人称の意志を表す. (2 )強い意志を示す場合は短縮形にはしない ) ▸ “Have you posted the letter for me? ” “No, I'll do it this afternoon. ”「手紙出してくれたかい」「ううん, じゃあ午後に出すよ」▸ If you will forgive me, I will tell you the truth .もしあなたが私を許してくれるのであれば, 本当のことをお話ししましょう (!意志未来のwillは条件時を表す副詞節で用いることができる; ↑1a ) ▸ John says that he won't wait any longer .ジョンはこれ以上待つつもりはないと言っている ▸ I'll bet you $50 he won't come .彼が来ない方に50ドル賭けるよ (!挑戦を表す ) ▸ I promise I won't laugh .笑わないと約束するよ (!約束を表す ) ▸ I'll get it for you .私が買って [もらって, 取って ]きてあげよう (!申し出を表す ) .コミュニケーション A: What'll you have? 何にする?B: I'll have a beer. ビ－ルにするよ .b. 〖Will /Won't you (…)?〗(依頼して )…してくれますか [くれませんか ], …してくれ ; (勧誘して )…しませんか (!(1 )命令文に近い強い言い方で相手に断る余裕を与えない; しばしば話し手のいらいらを暗示する. (2 )Won't you …?は相手が当然してくれることを期待した言い方. (3 )wouldを用いるとより丁寧な表現になる; →would 7 ) ▸ Will [Won't ] you please clean the room? ≒Clean the room, will you please ?すみませんが部屋を掃除してくれますか (!このpleaseはそれほど丁寧に響かない; →please 間投詞 1 語法 ) ▸ Will you go with us? 私たちと一緒に行きませんか ▸ Stay for dinner, will [won't ] you? 夕食を一緒に食べていったらどうですか (!肯定命令文の付加疑問はwill you? またはwon 't you? となる ) ▸ Don't wait too long, will you? あまり長い間待たないでくれ (!否定命令文の付加疑問はwill you? となる; 上昇調は口調を和らげ, 下降調は強い依頼命令を表す ) ▸ Will you stop that (↘)!それをやめなさい c. 〖共同の意志勧誘; weを主語にして; 平叙文で〗…しよう (!共同の意志勧誘を表す ) ▸ We'll go shopping, shall we? 買い物に行きましょうよ (≒Let's go shopping, shall we? ) (!付加疑問の形に注意 ) 類義 1 be going to との違いについては →go 1 自動詞 7 a 類義 .2 Will you …?は相手の意志の確認 (「…するつもりですか」)とも依頼勧誘 (「…してくれませんか」「…しませんか」)とも解釈される. 前者の意味をはっきりさせるにはAre you going to …?を用いる .4 〖強い決意; 一人称二人称三人称主語で〗〈人物が〉どうしても …する [したがる ]; 〖否定文で〗どうしても …(しようと )しない (!(1 )二人称三人称主語では話し手のいらだちを暗示する. (2 )通例強勢が置かれ, 短縮形 'llにはしない ) ▸ I will go whatever happens .どんなことが起こっても私は必ず行きます ▸ She won't listen to me .彼女はどうしても私の言うことを聞こうとしない ▸ Why will you say bad things about her? どうして君は彼女の悪口を言いたがるのですか ▸ The top won't come off .キャップがどうしてもはずれない (!物が意志を持っているかのように表現する擬人的な用法; ↓7 最終例 ) 【推量予測】5 ｟くだけた話｠〖推量; 通例二人称三人称主語で〗a. 〈人物事が〉きっと …だろう (!(1 )通例状態動詞が後続し, 目に見えない事柄に関する話し手の現在の推量を表す. (2 )未来を表す副詞 (句 )とは共に用いない. (3 )話し手の確信度についてはmustに次いであるいは同じくらい強く, 予測がはずれる危険を避けるためにmaybe, perhaps, possibly, probably, surely, I expect, I'm sure, I thinkなどがしばしば添えられる ) ▸ That'll be John's car, I suppose .(外から聞こえてくる音は )きっとジョンの車だろう ▸ She won't be at home now .彼女はきっと今家にはいないだろう (≒It is probable that she is not at home now. )▸ That will be 10 dollars, please .10ドルになります (!店員の言葉; このようにwillが断定的な響きを和らげるために用いられることがある ) b. 〖～ have done 〗きっと … しただろう (!過去または完了した出来事に対する現在の推量を表す ) ▸ She'll have left yesterday .彼女は昨日出発しただろう (≒It is probable that she left yesterday. )6 〖一般的傾向習性; 二人称三人称主語で〗〈人物事が〉…するものだ ; ｟話｠〈人が〉よく … する (!未来を表す副詞 (句 )と共に用いない ) ▸ Students won't study if it's not interesting .生徒というのはおもしろくなければ勉強しないものだ ▸ I was dressed up beautifully, as little girls will .小さな女の子にありがちなように, 私はきれいに着飾っていた ▸ He will pick his nose in public .彼はよく人前で鼻をほじくる (!willに強勢を置くと, その習慣に対するいらだちを表す ) 類義 willと現在形 1 一般的性質を表すwillを単純現在形で書き換えることができる. 単純現在形が事実の客観的記述であるのに対して, willを用いた方は主語の典型的特徴を述べることに重点がある ▸ Glass breaks [will break ].ガラスは割れる [ガラスというのは割れるものだ ]2 確実に起こる出来事に対してはwillを用いることはできない ▸ The limited express for Osaka leaves [╳will leave ] at 7 o'clock every morning .大阪行きの特急は毎朝7時に出発する 7 〖潜在的能力可能性; 三人称主語で〗〈物が〉…できる (can )▸ This type of battery will last longer than that .この種の電池はそっちよりも長持ちする ▸ This car won't go any faster .この車はこれ以上早く走れない (↑4 最終例 )I w í ll .｟話｠誓います (!結婚式などで ) .名詞 /wɪl /複～s /-z /1 a. U 意志 (!具体例ではa ～/～s; その際しばしば修飾語を伴う ) ▸ a man of strong [weak ] will 意志が強い [弱い ]人 ▸ an iron will ≒a will of iron 鉄の (ように固い )意志 ▸ a battle [clash ] of wills 意地の張り合い, 根くらべ ▸ Where there's a will , there's a way .｟ことわざ｠意志のあるところに道は開ける ; 「精神一到何事か成らざらん」b. 〖the /one's ～〗 «…しようという » 意欲 , 決意 ; 望み , 願い «to do » ▸ He never lost the will to succeed .彼は成功するという信念を決して失わなかった 2 C 遺言 ; 遺言状 (testament )▸ make a will 遺言状を書く ▸ He left his wife a fortune in his will .彼は遺言で妻に財産を残した ▸ remember A in one's will A 〈人の名〉を忘れずに遺言状に入れる 3 〖the /one's ～〗意向 ; 命令 ▸ impose one's will on A A 〈人〉に自分の要求を押しつける ▸ God' s will ｟かたく｠神の御心 .4 U (他人に対する )気持ち ; 態度 ▸ a gesture of good [ill ] will 善意 [悪意 ]を示すそぶり against A's [one's ] (ò wn ) w í ll A 〈人〉の [自分の ]意志に反して ▸ I was forced to leave against my will .私は不本意ながら立ち退かされた at one's ò wn (sw è et ) w í ll 自分の意のままに .at w í ll 〖通例文尾で〗好きなように, 欲するままに ▸ control people at will 人々を思いのままに操る d ò the w í ll of A A 〈人〉の望み [命令 ]に従う .h à ve one's w í ll 思い通りにする, 我を通す .of one's ò wn (fr è e ) w í ll 自分の意志で, 自分から進んで .with a w í ll ｟書｠意欲的に, 本気で ▸ work with a will 身を入れて働く with the b è st w í ll in the w ó rld ｟話｠〖通例否定文で; 文頭文中で〗どんなに努力 [善意 ]を尽くしても ▸ With the best will in the world I could not remember her name .どうしても彼女の名前が思い出せなかった動詞 /wɪl /他動詞 1 〈事〉を望む , 祈念する ; …を決意する ; 〖～ to do /that A (｟主に英｠should ) do 〗…する [Aが …する ]ことを願う ; 〖～ A to do 〗(意志の力念力などで )A 〈人物〉に …をさせる [させようとする ]▸ Al willed success .アルは成功を願っていた ▸ Sam willed to keep (himself ) awake all night .サムは一晩中起きていようとした ▸ Ken willed her to look in his direction .健は彼女に自分の方を見てくれと祈るような気持ちだった 2 〖～ A (to B )/(B ) A 〗A 〈財産など〉を (B 〈人〉に )遺贈する ; 〖～ that節〗…と遺言する ▸ He willed me his house. ≒He willed his house to me .彼は遺言により私に家を残した .3 ｟古｠〈神などが〉…を意図する ; 〖～ that節〗…ということを定める .自動詞｟古｠意志で決める ; 起こることを望む ▸ whether you will or not 望むと望まざるとに関わらず if you w í ll 1 ｟かたく｠あるいは, つまり (!相手に言いにくい言葉を選ぶ時に用いる ) .2 ｟かたい話｠よろしければ ▸ Talk if you will about the matter .よろしければそのことについてお話しください

willful

will ful ｟英｠wil -/wɪ́lf (ə )l /形容詞 1 わがままな ; 強情な, 頑迷 [頑固 ]な .2 〖名詞の前で〗故意の ; 前もってたくらんだ .～ly 副詞 1 わがままに ; 頑固に .2 わざと, 故意に .～ness 名詞 U 1 わがまま .2 故意 .

William

Wil liam /wɪ́ljəm /〖ゲルマン語で「意志」＋「かぶと」の意〗名詞 1 ウイリアム〘男の名; ｟愛称｠Bill, Billy, Will, Willy 〙.2 ウイリアム1世〘～ I /ðə -fə́ː r st /, 1027 --87; もとフランスのNormandy公で1066年のNorman Conquestにより英国王になる; 別名～ the Conqueror (ウイリアム征服王 )〙.3 ウイリアム3世〘～ III /ðə -θə́ː r d /, 1650 --1702; 名誉革命により英国王になる; 別名～ of Orange 〙.

Willie

Wil lie /wɪ́li /名詞ウィリー〘a 女の名.b 男の名; Williamの愛称〙.

willing

will ing /wɪ́lɪŋ /→will 形容詞 more ～; most ～/｟まれ｠～er ; ～est 1 〖be willing to do 〗〈人が〉…する意志 [気 ]がある , …するのをいとわない ; 〖be ～ that節〗…ということに異議はない (!要望必要性などに応えて行為を行うことを表し, readyほど強い積極性を示さない; →should 助動詞 7 語法 ) ▸ I am quite [perfectly ] willing to let you marry my daughter .君には娘と結婚してもらっても一向にかまわないと思っている ▸ Are you willing that he (｟主に英｠should ) be our leader? 彼が我々のリーダーになるのに異存はありませんか 2 〖通例名詞の前で〗(自ら )進んで [喜んで ]行う, 自発的な〈人行為など〉(↔reluctant )▸ a willing helper [worker ]進んで手助けする [働く ]人

willingly

will ing ly /wɪ́lɪŋli /副詞喜んで, 快く, 進んで (readily )▸ He gave me the money quite willingly .彼は喜んでその金をくれた ▸ “Will you come with me? ” “Yes, willingly .”「私と一緒に来ますか」「はい, 喜んで」.

willingness

w í ll ing ness 名詞 U 〖時にa ～〗喜んで [快く, 進んで ] «…» すること [気持ち ](readiness ) «to do » .

will-o'-the-wisp

will-o'-the-wisp /wɪ̀ləðəwɪ́sp /名詞 C 1 人を迷わす [だます ]もの [人 ]; 頼りにならない人, あやふやなもの .2 鬼火, きつね火 (jack-o'-lantern ).

willow

wil low /wɪ́loʊ /名詞複～s /-z /1 C ヤナギ , ヤナギの木 (willow tree )▸ a weeping willow シダレヤナギ ▸ Willows are weak, yet they bind other wood .｟ことわざ｠柳は弱いがほかの木を縛る ; 「柔よく剛を制す」.2 U ヤナギの木材 (willow wood ); 〖形容詞的に〗ヤナギ材 (製 )の .3 C ヤナギ製の物〘クリケットのバットなど〙.w è ar the w í llow ｟やや古｠失恋する ; 恋人の死を悲しむ〘昔, 柳の小枝の輪を身につけてその気持ちを表した〙.

willowy

wil low y /wɪ́loʊi /形容詞 1 〈人が〉 (ヤナギの枝のように )細くてしなやかな, すらりとして優美な .2 ヤナギの茂った .

willpower

w í ll p ò wer 名詞 U 意志力 ; 自制力 .

Willy

Wil ly /wɪ́li /名詞＝Willie .

willy

wil ly /wɪ́li /名詞複 -lies C ｟英小児くだけて｠おちんちん .

willy-nilly

wil ly-nil ly /wɪ̀linɪ́li /副詞 1 欲すると欲しないとにかかわらず ; いやでもおうでも, いやおうなしに .2 行き当たりばったりに ; 手当たり次第 .形容詞優柔不断の .