At will

Will Will, n. [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.] [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

The will is plainly that by which the mind chooses anything. --J. Edwards. [1913 Webster]

2. The choice which is made; a determination or preference which results from the act or exercise of the power of choice; a volition. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

3. The choice or determination of one who has authority; a decree; a command; discretionary pleasure. [1913 Webster]

Thy will be done. --Matt. vi. 10. [1913 Webster]

Our prayers should be according to the will of God. --Law. [1913 Webster]

4. Strong wish or inclination; desire; purpose. [1913 Webster]

Note: ``Inclination is another word with which will is frequently confounded. Thus, when the apothecary says, in Romeo and Juliet, [1913 Webster]

My poverty, but not my will, consents; . . . Put this in any liquid thing you will, And drink it off. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]

5. That which is strongly wished or desired. [1913 Webster]

What's your will, good friar? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

The mariner hath his will. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]

6. Arbitrary disposal; power to control, dispose, or determine. [1913 Webster]

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies. --Ps. xxvii. 12. [1913 Webster]

7. (Law) 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. [1913 Webster]

Note: Wills are written or nuncupative, that is, oral. See {Nuncupative will}, under {Nuncupative}. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]