- involuntary
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He involuntarily overheard the conversation.
He found himself the involuntary witness in the trial.
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involuntary
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involuntary — in·vol·un·tary /in vä lən ˌter ē/ adj: done, made, or initiated contrary to or without one s choice an involuntary confession an involuntary lien an involuntary plaintiff joined in the action in·vol·un·tar·i·ly adv Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of … Law dictionary
Involuntary — In*vol un*ta*ry, a. [L. involuntarius. See {In } not, and {Voluntary}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Not having will or the power of choice. [1913 Webster] 2. Not under the influence or control of the will; not voluntary; as, the involuntary movements of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
involuntary — UK US /ɪnˈvɒləntəri/ adjective ► not done by choice, or not done as a result of someone s decision or intention: »Involuntary unemployment means that you suffer a total loss of salary as the result of the loss of employment. »The number of… … Financial and business terms
involuntary — mid 15c., from L.L. involuntarius involuntary, from in not, opposite of (see IN (Cf. in ) (1)) + L. voluntarius (see VOLUNTARY (Cf. voluntary)). Related: Involuntarily … Etymology dictionary
involuntary — [in väl′ən ter΄ē] adj. [LL involuntarius] not voluntary; specif., a) not done of one s own free will; not done by choice b) unintentional; accidental c) not consciously controlled; automatic [sneezing is involuntary] SYN. SPONTANEOUS… … English World dictionary
involuntary — [adj] automatic; not done willingly automatic, begrudging, blind, compulsory, conditioned, forced, grudging, habitual, impulsive, instinctive, instinctual, knee jerk*, obligatory, reflex, reflexive, reluctant, spontaneous, uncalculated,… … New thesaurus
involuntary — ► ADJECTIVE 1) done without conscious control. 2) (especially of muscles or nerves) concerned in bodily processes that are not under the control of the will. 3) done against someone s will. DERIVATIVES involuntarily adverb involuntariness noun … English terms dictionary
involuntary — Without will or power of choice; opposed to volition or desire. An involuntary act is that which is performed with constraint (q.v.) or with repugnance, or without the will to do it. An action is involuntary, then, which is performed under duress … Black's law dictionary
involuntary — Without will or power of choice; opposed to volition or desire. An involuntary act is that which is performed with constraint (q.v.) or with repugnance, or without the will to do it. An action is involuntary, then, which is performed under duress … Black's law dictionary
involuntary — [[t]ɪnvɒ̱ləntri, AM teri[/t]] 1) ADJ If you make an involuntary movement or exclamation, you make it suddenly and without intending to because you are unable to control yourself. Another surge of pain in my ankle caused me to give an involuntary… … English dictionary
involuntary — involuntarily /in vol euhn ter euh lee, vol euhn tair /, adv. involuntariness, n. /in vol euhn ter ee/, adj. 1. not voluntary; independent of one s will; not by one s own choice: an involuntary listener; involuntary servitude. 2. unintentional;… … Universalium
