vol•un•tar•y^*ˈvɒl ənˌtɛr i(adj.; n.)(pl.)-tar•ies.

1. (adj.)done, made, brought about, or undertaken of one's own accord or by free choice:

   a voluntary contribution.

2. of, pertaining to, or acting in accord with the will.

3. of, pertaining to, or depending on voluntary action:

   voluntary hospitals.

4. done by or composed of volunteers.

5. Law. acting or done without compulsion or obligation. done by intention, and not by accident: made without valuable consideration:

   voluntary manslaughter.

   a voluntary settlement.

   Category: Law

6. subject to or controlled by the will.

   Category: Physiology

7. having the power of willing or choosing:

   a voluntary agent.

8. proceeding from a natural impulse; spontaneous.

9. (n.)someone or something voluntary.

10. a piece of music performed as a prelude to a larger work, esp. an organ piece performed before, during, or after a church service.

    Category: Music and Dance

^* Syn: See deliberate.

Origin of voluntary:

1350–1400; < L voluntārius, der. of volunt(ās) willingness, inclination, der. of velle to want, wish; see will1, -ent )

vol′un•tar`i•ness(n.)