Voluntary. World English Historical Dictionary

Voluntary. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1928, rev. 2024. Voluntary a., adv. and sb. Also 5–7 voluntarye, -arie, 8 -erie; 7 volontarie. [ad. OF. voluntaire (14th c.), volontaire (16th c.; mod.F. volontaire = It. volontario, It., Sp., Pg. voluntario), or ad. L. voluntārius, f. voluntas VOLUNTY.]

1   A.  adj. I. 1. a. Of feelings, etc.: Arising or developing in the mind without external constraint; having a purely spontaneous origin or character.

2 1387–8.  T. Usk, Test. Love, I. vi. (Skeat), l. 146. Moche comune meyny, that have no consideracion but only to voluntary lustes withouten reson.

3 a. 1450.  Mankind, 187, in Macro Plays, 8. Yf we wyll mortyfye owur carnall condycyon, Ande owur voluntarye dysyres.

4 1595.  Shaks., John, V. ii. 10. Albeit we sweare A voluntary zeale, and an vn-urg’d Faith.

5 1633.  R. Hall, in Bp. Hall’s Occas. Medit., Ded. The expressions of these voluntary and sudden thoughts of his.

6 1644.  Milton, Educ., Wks. 1851, IV. 380. That voluntary Idea, which hath long in silence presented it self to me.

7 1728.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Liberty, Tho’ all natural Inclinations be voluntary, yet they are not all free.

8 1822.  J. MacDonald, Mem. J. Benson, 167. It requires much voluntary faith to be an infidel.

9 1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 74. Unfaithfulness is the voluntary love, as ignorance is the involuntary reception, of a lie.

10 1884.  Ruskin, Pleas. Learn., 78. Were faith not voluntary, it could not be praised.

11   b.  Of actions: Performed or done of one’s own free will, impulse or choice; not constrained, prompted or suggested by another.

12   Sometimes denoting ‘left to choice,’ ‘not required or demanded of one.’

13 c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., I. iv. 18. Before that … eny voluntarie or wilful assignement of God was ȝouen to the Iewis.

14 a. 1513.  Fabyan, Chron., VII. (1811), 548. The archebysshop … shewyd vnto them seryously the voluntary renounsynge of the kyng.

15 1534.  More, Comf. agst. Trib., II. Wks. 1206/2. Restitucion is … a thing of such necessitie, that in respect of restitucion, almes dede is but voluntary.

16 1551.  T. Wilson, Logike, D v b. That is called voluntarie, which doth betoken any thing done freely.

17 1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., II. i. 16. The lottrie of my destenie Bars me the right of voluntarie choosing.

18 1632.  Lithgow, Trav., I. 7. Thy voluntary wandring, and vnconstrayned exyle.

19 1673.  Dryden, Amboyna, Ded. This voluntary Neglect of Honours has been of rare Example in the World.

20 1736.  Butler, Anal., I. v. Wks. 1874, I. 84. All wickedness is voluntary, as is implied in its very notion.

21 1780.  Bentham, Princ. Legisl., viii. (1789), 79, note. By a voluntary act is meant sometimes, any act, in the performance of which the will has had any concern at all; in this sense it is synonymous to intentional.

22 1784.  Cowper, Task, VI. 333. The horse … throwing high his heels, Starts to the voluntary race again.

23 1849.  Robertson, Serm., Ser. IV. ix. (1876), 82. There must be some voluntary act transgressing some known law or there is no sin.

24 a. 1871.  Grote, Eth. Fragm., v. (1876), 187. Every action is voluntary, wherein the beginning of organic motion is the will of the agent.

25   c.  Of oaths, etc.: Proceeding from the free, unprompted or unconstrained will of a person; voluntarily made or given; spec. in Law (cf. next).

26 1595.  Shaks., John, III. iii. 23. Thy voluntary oath Liues in this bosome, deerely cherished.

27 1607.  Cowell, Interpr., Assumpsit, is a voluntarie promise made by word.

28 1729.  Jacob, Law Dict., s.v. Oath, A voluntary Oath, by the Consent and Agreement of the Parties, is lawful as well as a compulsory Oath.

29 1769.  Blackstone, Comm., IV. 137. [The perjury] is no more penal than in the voluntary extra-judicial oaths.

30 1782.  Miss Burney, Cecilia, V. iv. The next day Miss Belfield was to tell her everything by a voluntary promise.

31 1828–32.  Webster, Voluntary affidavit or oath, is one made in an extra-judicial matter.

32 1840.  Penny Cycl., XVI. 382. Oaths may be either voluntary or may be imposed by a political superior.

33 1883.  Cassell’s Encycl. Dict., s.v. Confession, There existed also an ancient practice of voluntary confession in public of private offences and secret sins.

34   d.  Law. Or documents, proceedings, etc. (see quots.).

35 1625.  Glanville, Voy. Cadiz (1883), 29. A voluntary certificate from some of the officers … to prove her a defective Shipp.

36 1724.  Salkeld, Reports, III. 174. He, as a Purchaser, shall avoid this Conveyance, because it was voluntary, and therefore fraudulent.

37 1765–8.  Erskine, Inst. Law Scot., I. ii. § 4. Voluntary [jurisdiction] was that which was exercised in matters that admitted of no opposition. Ibid., II. viii. § 17. If the wadsetter receive his money upon this intimation without compulsion,… the redemption is voluntary.

38 1781.  J. T. Atkyns, Rep. Cases (ed. 2), II. 89. Even in voluntary settlements, if the words lean more strongly to the one construction than to the other, it must likewise prevail.

39 1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), II. 521. The third mode of voluntary partition is, when the eldest makes the division of the lands; in which case she shall choose last. Ibid., IV. 401. Edward Bussey being possessed of a term for 59 years, by voluntary deed, conveyed it to trustees.

40 1845.  Polson, in Encycl. Metrop., II. 848/1. A voluntary charter is granted by a superior ex mero motû.

41 1860.  Wharton, Law Lex. (ed. 2), 757/2. Voluntary Answer, one filed by a defendant to a bill in equity, without being called upon to answer by the plaintiff.

42 1875.  K. E. Digby, Real Prop. (1876), 373. Voluntary conveyances of estates in land, that is, conveyances without any consideration, such as money or marriage.

43   e.  Naut. (See quot.)

44 1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 714. Voluntary charge, a document delivered with the purser’s accounts respecting provisions.

45   2.  Physiol. Of bodily actions: Regulated or governed by the volitional faculty; subject to the will. (Cf. INVOLUNTARY a. 1 b.)

46 c. 1400.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 29. Brawn is maad of fleisch, senewe, & ligamentis, & þei ben instrument [of] voluntarie meuynge.

47 1650.  Bulwer, Anthropomet., 6. Voluntary motion depends upon the Nerves.

48 1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., I. vi. 23. Imagination is the first internal beginning of all Voluntary Motion.

49 1728.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Muscle, The Muscles of Voluntary Motion … have each of ’em their Antagonist Muscles.

50 1843.  Graves, Syst. Clin. Med., xv. 184. The muscles of voluntary life.

51 1855.  Bain, Senses & Int., I. ii. § 17. The Spinal Cord … is necessary to sensation and to voluntary movement (movement from feeling).

52 1881.  Mivart, Cat, 124. Amongst the voluntary movements are the various movements of the several members.

53   3.  Of conditions, etc.: Assumed or adopted voluntarily or by free choice; freely chosen or undertaken.

54 1426.  Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 22714. Kome fforthe, and se an exanplayre Off poverte not voluntarye.

55 1474.  Caxton, Chesse, II. v. (1883), 65. Scipion of affrique … was so poure of voluntarie pouerte yt … he was buried at ye dispencis of ye comyn good.

56 1581.  Pettie, trans. Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., I. (1586), 45 b. The companie which we come into by chance, consisteth of many persons, but yt which is voluntarie, which we ought to couet, containeth but few folke in it.

57 1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., IV. xxxi. 154. Hee ended hys days in voluntarie exyle.

58 1611.  Bible, Col. ii. 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward, in a voluntarie humilitie.

59 1622.  T. Scott, Belg. Pismire, 1. The Creatures subjected to his gouernment, in their voluntarie obedience.

60 1752.  Young, Brothers, III. i. I pretend ’twas voluntary flight To save a brother’s blood.

61 1759.  Johnson, Rasselas, xxviii. They discover what nothing but voluntary blindness before had concealed.

62 1847.  Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., III. 85. The inhabitants of the town and country took a voluntary share in all the changes.

63 1877.  Mrs. Oliphant, Makers Flor., xv. 386. His exile was voluntary, not forced like Dante’s.

64   transf.  1638.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (ed. 2), 10. The dead are … laid to sleep in a neat … dormitory, his Armolets, Bracelets, and voluntary shackles accompany him. Ibid., 38. Many voluntary rings and fetters of Brasse.

65   b.  Brought about by one’s own choice or deliberate action; self-inflicted, self-induced.

66 1548.  Elyot, s.v. Voluntarius, Mors voluntaria, voluntarie death.

67 1576.  Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 246, marg. Voluntarie death ought not to be attempted of any wise man.

68 1601.  Holland, Pliny, I. 126. These make profession of voluntarie death: and … when they are disposed to die at any time, they make a great funeral fire [etc.].

69 1601.  Shaks., Jul. C., II. i. 300. I haue made strong proofe of my Constancie, Giuing my selfe a voluntary wound Heere, in the Thigh.

70 1781.  Cowper, Truth, 101. His voluntary pains, severe and long, Would give a barb’rous air to British song.

71 1878.  Browning, La Saisiaz, 61. A law to contravene Voluntary passage from this life.

72 1891.  Farrar, Darkn. & Dawn, ix. One of those creatures … who, in that age, so often took refuge from a depraved life in a voluntary death.

73   c.  Entered into of free choice; also spec. (see quot. 1889).

74 1612–3.  Sir H. Hobart, Reports (1650), 149. We know well that the Primitive Church … were but voluntary Congregations of beleevers.

75 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 158. In some districts … the ministers formed themselves into voluntary associations, for the purpose of mutual help and counsel.

76 1889.  Cent. Dict., s.v. Association, Voluntary association, in law, a society which is unincorporated, but is not a partnership, in that the members are not agents for one another.

77   4.  Done of deliberate intent or purpose; designed, intentional.

78   (a)  1495.  Rolls of Parlt., VI. 488/1. She theryn [sc. in lands devised to her] doyng noe voluntary Waste ne Destruccion.

79 1544.  trans. Littleton’s Tenures (1574), 15 b. If the lessee at wil make voluntarye wast, as in pullinge downe of houses, or in cuttinge or fellinge of trees.

80 1766.  Blackstone, Comm., II. 281. Waste is either voluntary, which is a crime of commission, as by pulling down a house; or it is permissive.

81 1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 714. Voluntary stranding, the beaching or running a vessel purposely aground to escape greater danger.

82   (b)  1530–1.  Act 22 Hen. VIII., c. 9 § 1. Consyderyng that … voluntary murders [are] moste highly to be detested and abhorred.

83 a. 1602.  W. Perkins, Cases Consc. (1606), 18. If a man be lopping a tree, and his axe head fall from the helve, out of his hand, and kills another passing by; here is indeede manslaughter, but no voluntarie murther.

84   b.  Law. Of escapes: Deliberately permitted or connived at.

85 1660.  Young, Vade Mecum (ed. 6), 94. Voluntary [escape] is when one hath arrested another for felony or other crime, and doth afterwards suffer him to go whither he will.

86 1769.  Blackstone, Comm., IV. 130. Voluntary escapes, by consent and connivance of the officer, are a much more serious offence.

87 1797.  Tomlins, Jacob’s Law Dict., s.v. Escape, If the marshal of the King’s Bench … or any other who hath the keeping of prisons in fee, suffer a voluntary escape, it is a forfeiture of the office.

88   5.  Of gifts, etc.: Freely or spontaneously bestowed, rendered or made; contributed voluntarily or by reason of generous or charitable motives.

89 1580.  G. Harvey, Let. Spenser, S.’s Wks. (1912), 627/2. A small voluntarie Supplement of his owne … in commendation of hir … thrice excellent Maiestie.

90 1614.  Raleigh, Hist. World, II. xvii. § 8. 490. He exhorted all others to a voluntary contribution.

91 1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., III. xlii. 287. A common stock of mony, raised out of the voluntary contributions of the faithfull.

92 1682.  Penn, in Clarkson, Mem. (1813), I. 321. Let the Lord have a voluntary share of your income for the good of the poor.

93 1728.  Chambers, Cycl., Charity Schools, are Schools erected and maintain’d in various Parishes, by the voluntary Contributions of the Inhabitants.

94 1797.  Burke, Regic. Peace, iii. Wks. VIII. 359. Nor is it every contribution, called voluntary, which is according to the free will of the giver.

95 1800.  Asiatic Ann. Reg., Misc. Tracts, 335/1. Neither shall any subsidy be exacted from them,… what they furnish shall be voluntary.

96 1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), III. 46. The clergy were supported by the voluntary offerings of their flocks.

97 1845.  Encycl. Metrop., XIII. 918/2. Voluntary contributions in aid of the national resources.

98 1897.  Westm. Gaz., 2 March, 2/3. You have got to go to the school whether you like to or not, whilst the ‘voluntary’ part of the maintenance is just twopence out of every shilling.

99   II.  6. † a. Of the will, etc.: Free, unforced, unconstrained. Obs.

100 1508.  Fisher, 7 Penit. Ps. cxxx. Wks. (1876), 230. We knowe … that almyghty god of his owne voluntary wyll and gracyous volunty … redemed vs.

101 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 206. Duke Maurice served themperour … of hys oune voluntarye mynde.

102 1563.  Golding, Cæsar, I. (1565), 33 b. Consideryng he offered of his own voluntary wil, the thing he hadde before denied when it was requested.

103   b.  Voluntary faculty, the will.

104 1867.  Alden, Elem. Intell. Philos., xxvi. 261. By the voluntary faculty, or the will, we mean simply the capacity of the mind to perform acts of volition.

105   7.  Of persons: That is such of one’s own accord or free choice; acting voluntarily, willingly or spontaneously in a specified capacity; also, endowed with the faculty of willing.

106 1594.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., I. iii. § 2. God did not worke as a necessary but a voluntary agent.

107 1611.  Shaks., Cymb., III. v. 158. That thou wilt be a voluntarie Mute to my designe.

108 1642.  Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., III. xx. 205. No pity is to be shown to such voluntary cripples.

109 1667.  Milton, P. L., X. 61. Sending thee Mans Friend, his Mediator, his design’d Both Ransom and Redeemer voluntarie.

110 1754.  Edwards, Freed. Will, II. iv. 50. The Soul is an active Being in Nothing further than it is a voluntary or elective Being.

111 1776.  Gibbon, Decl. & F., ii. I. 43. These voluntary exiles were engaged, for the most part, in the occupations of commerce.

112 1868.  Huxley, Lay Serm., iii. (1870), 46. The greatest voluntary wanderers and colonists the world has ever seen.

113   † b.  Serving as a volunteer soldier; that is a volunteer; also, composed of volunteers. Obs.

114 1586.  Acts Privy Council, N.S. XIV. 55. A Commission … to levie … the number of 150 voluntarie footemen.

115 1590.  Sir J. Smyth, Disc. Weapons, Ded. 5 b. The souldiors thereby being made voluntary, haue obeyed their Captaines no otherwise than hath pleased themselues.

116 1604.  E. Grimstone, Hist. Siege Ostend, 30. The Arch-duke had caused … a volontarie Gentleman … to be put in prison.

117 1632.  Lithgow, Trav., VIII. 350. I left Mr. Bruce with a Galley Captaine a voluntary Souldier.

118 1647.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., VI. § 249. Sr Nicholas Slanning’s, and Colonel Trevannion’s Voluntary Regiments.

119   c.  poet. Of a sword: Offered freely or willingly in aid of some cause.

120 1761.  Gray, Epit. Sir W. Williams, ii. At Aix his voluntary sword he drew, There first in blood his infant honor seal’d.

121 1808.  Scott, Marm., IV. Introd. Eleven years we now may tell, Since … our hand First drew the voluntary brand.

122   † 8.  Favorably inclined or disposed (to do something); willing, ready. Obs.

123 1597.  A. M., Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., f iv. I am so voluntarye to communicate the same vnto certayne of my goode frendes.

124 1638.  in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 133. The greater parte of the Common Councell … beinge all voluntary tendered to lend [to] the towne for the expedicion of the towne’s business att London.

125 1668.  Marvell, Corr., Wks. (Grosart), II. 263. He should be so much more at liberty to show how voluntary and affectionate he was to your Corporation.

126 1741–2.  Gray, Agrippina, 36. When yet a stranger To adoration,… and obsequious vows From voluntary realms.

127 1768.  H. Walpole, Hist. Doubts, Pref. p. xv. When a successful king is chief justice, historians become a voluntary jury.

128   absol.  1611.  Bible, Ps. xlvii. 9, marg. The voluntarie of the people are gathered vnto the people of the God of Abraham.

129   transf.  1621.  G. Sandys, Ovid’s Met., I. (1626), 11. Other Creatures tooke their numerous birth And figures, from the voluntary Earth.

130 1652.  Crashaw, Carmen Deo Nostro, Mary Magdalene, xxi. That King … That thus can boast to be Waited on by a wandring mine, A voluntary mint, that strowes Warm sylver showres where’re he goes!

131   9.  Of institutions: Maintained or supported solely or largely by the freewill offerings or contributions of members or subscribers, and free from State interference or control.

132 1745.  Butler, Serm., Wks. 1874, II. 277. The education of poor children was all along taken care of by voluntary charities.

133 1837.  McCulloch, Acc. Brit. Empire, II. 491. Private or Voluntary Schools.

134 1867.  Chambers’s Encycl., IX. 647/1. The United Presbyterian Church is … not only in practice, but also in theory, a voluntary church. Ibid. (1868), X. 651/1. They held that the same objections did not apply to voluntary organisations [for educational purposes].

135   b.  Of or pertaining to, concerned or connected with, voluntaryism in respect of the Church or educational institutions.

136 1834.  Graham, in C. S. Parker, Life & Lett. (1907), I. 198. I cannot favour in the least ‘the Voluntary Principle.’

137 1867.  Chambers’s Encycl., IX. 646/1. A great controversy … known as the Voluntary Controversy (1829–1834). Ibid. (1868), X. 23/2. An important article in the Voluntary creed.

138 1891.  E. Kinglake, Australian at Home, 51. The voluntary system … is almost universal in Australia. The clergyman is the servant of his congregation, and must please them or go.

139   c.  Of persons: Advocating or supporting the voluntary principle as opposed to State establishment and control.

140 1835.  C. J. Brown, Ch. Establishm., iv. 15. Voluntary Churchmen, out of an Establishment, talk of the independence of the Church—our forefathers, within one, bled and died for it.

141 1868.  Chambers’s Encycl., X. 24/1. Those known as Voluntary educationists reject the idea of any national system.

142   10.  Of muscles, etc.: Acting or moving in response to the volition; directing or controlling voluntary movements.

143 1788.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), I. 702/1. The motions…, in a natural and healthy state, are subject to the will, and for this reason they are called voluntary muscles.

144 1843.  Graves, Syst. Clin. Med., xv. 186. A debility of the voluntary muscles.

145 1864.  Webster, Voluntary nerve, nerve distributed to voluntary muscle.

146 1884.  Pop. Sci. Monthly, June, 174. We see here that atrophy begins in the most voluntary limb, the arm.

147   b.  Physiol. (See quot.)

148 1860.  Mayne, Expos. Lex., 1337/1. Voluntary Motor Power,… the power exercised by the brain and nerves in volition, in distinction from the excito-motor power, or that which is peculiar to the spinal marrow and its nerves.

149   III.  † 11. Growing wild or naturally; of spontaneous growth. Obs. rare.

150 1620.  Venner, Via Recta, vii. 130. The wilde or voluntary Strawberries, that I may so terme them.

151 1633.  Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, N. T., 4. Feeding on such homely and voluntary diet as that wild place would afford.

152 1718.  Pope, Iliad, XIV. 396. Glad earth perceives, and from her bosom pours Unbidden herbs and voluntary flowers.

153   B.  adv. = VOLUNTARILY adv.

154   In early use perh. partly after L. voluntāriē.

155 1480.  Cov. Leet Bk., 435. All þe forseid persones … cam voluntarye, & seid openly ther to þe seid Maire, þat [etc.].

156 1562.  Child-Marriages, 75. The said Henrie did neuer lye with the said Mavde, nor did cohabete voluntarie together.

157 c. 1595.  Capt. Wyatt, Dudley’s Voy. (Hakl. Soc.), 34. One of them voluntarie profered to goe with him into Englande.

158 1609.  Holland, Amm. Marcell., d 4 b. He did this voluntarie, according to the example of the ancient Decii.

159 1632.  J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, To Rdr. In excuse of my not voluntary undergoing … the burthen of this Translation.

160 1671.  Milton, P. R., II. 394. If of that pow’r I bring thee voluntary What I might have bestow’d on whom I pleas’d.

161 1710.  Prideaux, Orig. Tithes, iii. 145. All should voluntary pay them in their Offerings at the Church.

162 1769.  Sir J. Reynolds, Disc., ii. (1876), 322. To go voluntary to a tribunal where he knows he must be humbled.

163   C.  sb. I. † 1. Free will or choice; = VOLUNTY. In the phrases of, out of, upon or at (a person’s) own voluntary, at voluntary.

164   (a)  1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. xix. 23 b. Of theyr owne voluntarie [they] came to surrender themselues. Ibid., I. xx. 25. The offer [was] made vppon his owne voluntary.

165 1590.  Greene, Mourn. Garm., Wks. (Grosart), IX. 168. If you were to chuse husbands at your owne voluntary.

166 1606.  G. W[oodcocke], Hist. Ivstine, II. 16. After this the Spartans,… out of their own voluntary, inuaded the borders of their Empire.

167 a. 1617.  Bayne, On Eph. (1643), 317. How canst thou,… out of thy voluntary, converse with them who are not sanctified?

168 1633.  J. Done, trans. Aristeas’ Hist. Septuagint, 59. Uppon his owne voluntary, he came often to visite the workes.

169   (b)  1590.  Greene, Neuer too late, Wks. (Grosart), VIII. 71. Womens flatteries [were] too forceable to resist at voluntarie. Ibid. (1591), Conny Catch., II. 11. He began to … rap out gogs Nownes, and pronounes, while at voluntarie he had sworne through the eight parts of speach in the Accidence.

170   2.  † a. Music added at the will of the performer to a piece played or sung. Obs.

171 1565.  Jewel, Reply Harding (1611), 113. This is the plaine song, and may well stand for the ground: the rest is altogether descant and vaine voluntary, and the most part out of tune.

172 1597.  Morley, Introd. Mus., 126. To make two parts vpon a plainesong is more hard then to make three parts into voluntary. Ibid. Rules which may serue him both for descant and voluntary.

173   b.  A musical piece or movement played or sung spontaneously or of one’s free choice, esp. by way of prelude to a more elaborate piece, song, etc.

174 1598.  Florio, Preludio, a proheme in musicke, a voluntary before the song.

175 1628.  Ford, Lover’s Mel., I. i. Upon his instrument he plays so swiftly, So many voluntaries, and so quick, That [etc.].

176 1662.  Playford, Skill Mus., I. 60. He with his Harp … ending his excellent Voluntary with some choice Fancy upon this Phrygian Mood.

177 1688.  R. Holme, Armoury, III. xix. (Roxb.), 154/2. The seuerall Beates or points of warre are these … 4. A Voluntary before the March.

178 1754.  R. Newton, Char. Theophrastus, 7. Something in the nature of a flourish, or of a voluntary before the tune.

179 a. 1785.  T. Potter, Moralist, II. 134. He took up his flute, and touched a few notes of the voluntary he had heard the night before.

180 1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xlviii. Sitting down to the piano, she rattled away a triumphant voluntary on the keys.

181   fig. and transf.  1603.  Hynd, Mirrour Worldly Fame, v. Dancing is the voluntary, which is played before a passage is made to unlawful desires.

182 1629.  Gaule, Holy Madn., 155. Like a fantasticke Musician, he chiefly pleases himselfe; while he leaues the Grounds, to run upon the Voluntaries.

183 1686.  Goad, Celest. Bodies, II. viii. 255. The Lark and the Thrush sung their Voluntaries.

184 1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 504, ¶ 1. These can … say you are dull to-day, and laugh a Voluntary to put you in humour.

185 1795.  Burke, Lett. to W. Elliot, Wks. 1842, II. 240. I have been told of the voluntary, which, for the entertainment of the house of lords, has been lately played by his Grace.

186 1814.  Scott, Wav., xliii. He … ran off in a wild voluntary of fanciful mirth.

187 a. 1881.  Rossetti, House of Life, ix. This harp still makes my name its voluntary.

188   c.  esp. A piece or solo, usu. consisting of two or more movements, played upon the organ before, during or after any office of the Church; also, the music for this.

189   In-, Out-voluntary, those respectively played at the beginning and close of a religious service.

190 1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 503, ¶ 2. Now the Organ was to play a Voluntary, and she … kept time … with some Motion of her Head.

191 1731.  in Abridgm. Specif. Patents, Music (1871), 2. All psalm tunes, fuges, volunteries, and anthems that are usually sung in churches or chappells.

192 1779.  Phil. Trans., LXIX. 193. Several voluntaries which he heard … the organist play at the Cathedral.

193 1801.  Busby, Dict. Mus., s.v., The voluntary was originally so called, because its performance, or non-performance, was at the option of the organist.

194 1837.  Hood, Ode R. Wilson, 398. Let the solemn, swelling, organ greet, With Voluntaries meet, The willing advent of the rich and poor.

195 1870.  R. Anderson, Missions Amer. Board, II. xxxviii. 344. A voluntary skillfully played … on the powerful organ belonging to the church.

196   fig.  1863.  Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., xvii. 448. This scene … will form a choice voluntary as conclusion to our homily.

197   † 3.  A voluntary oath. Obs.–1

198 1593.  Bilson, Govt. Christ’s Ch., xiii. 270. In matters of religion that touch the peace & safetie of the whole Church of Christ, do you looke your voluntarie should bee receiued without all authoritie or testimonie to warrant it.

199   † 4.  An occurrence or event due to some person’s voluntary action. Obs. rare.

200 1652.  Gaule, Magastrom., 83. Casualties and voluntaries, whose events are not so much as probable, as not having any such causes as aforesaid.

201   5.  An extempore, optional or voluntary piece of writing or composition.

202 1690.  Temple, Ess., Poetry, Wks. 1720, I. 245. The Priapeia … were little Voluntaries or Extemporaries, written upon the ridiculous Wooden Statues of Priapus.

203 1801.  W. Taylor, in Robberds, Mem. (1843), I. 387. If I get Phillips to receive his voluntaries in the Monthly Magazine, he … will take the less pains.

204 1860.  Mansfield, School-life at Winchester (1870), 107. Præfects and Senior part also were encouraged to write … a copy of verses on any subject selected by themselves, which was called a ‘Voluntary.’

205 1876.  Lowell, Among my Books, Ser. II. 206. At school he wrote some task-verses … and also some voluntaries of his own.

206   6.  A voluntary contribution.

207 1837–8.  J. Keegan, Leg. & Poems (1907), 80. [The heap of stones] at last assumed a size sufficiently large to attract the attention of every person who went the way, who, in their turn, added their ‘voluntary’ to the pile.

208   7.  A parting of a rider from his horse without sufficient cause; an unwarranted fall. Freq. to cut a voluntary.

209 1863.  G. A. Lawrence, Border & Bastille, ii. 33. A conscript, who could keep his saddle, through an entire day, without ‘taking a voluntary,’ was considered … a credit to the regiment.

210 1883.  Mrs. Kennard, Right Sort, xxi. They will say I cut a voluntary…. The stirrup-leather alone was to blame.

211 1890.  Field, 8 Feb., 177. The number of ‘voluntaries’ which are ever taking place in the hunting field.

212   8.  A voluntary examination.

213 1894.  J. Payn, Gleams of Memory, 75. As an initial step to my becoming a divine, it was … necessary to pass ‘the Voluntary’—a theological examination in my case very inappropriately named.

214   II.  † 9. One voluntarily, and usually without pay, serving as a soldier in a campaign, battle, etc.; = VOLUNTEER sb. 1. Obs.

215   In very frequent use from 1600 to 1645.

216 1595.  Shaks., John, II. i. 67. Rash, inconsiderate, fiery voluntaries,… Haue sold their fortunes at their natiue homes,… To make a hazard of new fortunes heere.

217 1601.  Mountjoy, in Moryson, Itin., II. (1617), 138. Diuers worthy men … haue followed the wars here as voluntaries to their very great expence.

218 1622.  F. Markham, Bk. War, I. vii. 25. Those Souldiers, which we call by the name of Voluntaries, being a ranke of men which voluntarily, and of their owne meere motion without any constraint at all, doe betake themselues into the Warres.

219 1636.  Winthrop, New Eng. (1825), I. 195. The soldiers who went were all voluntaries, and had only their victuals provided, but demanded no pay.

220 1670.  Milton, Hist. Eng., V. 219. Turkitel the Dane … got leave of the King, with as many voluntaries as would follow him, to pass into France.

221   fig.  1612.  T. Taylor, Comm. Titus ii. 6. Let them now serue as voluntaries vnder the Captaine Iesus Christ.

222   transf.  1627.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Navy Land Ships, A ijb. There were 7. other needlesse Ships which were in the nature of voluntaries, or hangers on vpon the Nauy.

223   10.  One who undertakes or engages in any kind of service, enterprise, etc., of his own choice or free-will; = VOLUNTEER sb. 3.

224 1609.  Bible (Douay), 1 Macc. ii. 42. Then there was gathered to them the synagoge of the Assideans…, everie voluntarie in the law.

225 1612.  H. Ainsworth, Annot. Ps. cx. 3. Thy people shall be voluntaries in the day of thy power.

226 1628.  Wither, Brit. Rememb., III. 1507. That none durst become a voluntary, In such a Fire, for conscience sake, to tarie.

227 a. 1641.  Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon. (1642), 146. Unto Esdras was granted … licence to goe up unto Jerusalem, to carry with him all such voluntaries as would goe.

228   † 11.  One who is willing or ready to give way or withdraw. Obs.–1

229 1620.  [G. Brydges], Horæ Subs., 25. If … they … could haue beene content to withdraw … it would haue expressed an excellent temper, and moderation. But few such voluntaries bee found.

230   12.  One who holds or advocates that the Church (or educational institutions) should be maintained by voluntary contributions and be independent of State connection or support. Cf. VOLUNTARYIST.

231 1834.  Tait’s Mag., I. 418/1. The Governor was a Voluntary; but Lord Goderich granted [the congregation] the L. 100 from the colonial revenue.

232 1843.  E. Miall, in Nonconf., III. 241. Where the truth has got hold of a man it makes him a real voluntary.

233 1868.  Chambers’s Encycl., X. 651/1. Obstacles to the establishment of a national system [of education] more formidable than the opposition of the Voluntaries.

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