Library / English Dictionary

WILL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

Example:

the exercise of their volition we construe as revolt

Synonyms:

volition; will

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("will" is a kind of...):

faculty; mental faculty; module (one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "will"):

velleity (volition in its weakest form)

Derivation:

will (determine by choice)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A fixed and persistent intent or purpose

Example:

where there's a will there's a way

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("will" is a kind of...):

aim; design; intent; intention; purpose (an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions)

Derivation:

will (determine by choice)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die

Synonyms:

testament; will

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("will" is a kind of...):

instrument; legal document; legal instrument; official document ((law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right)

Meronyms (parts of "will"):

codicil (a supplement to a will; a testamentary instrument intended to alter an already executed will)

Domain category:

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "will"):

Old Testament (the collection of books comprising the sacred scripture of the Hebrews and recording their history as the chosen people; the first half of the Christian Bible)

New Testament (the collection of books of the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline and other epistles, and Revelation; composed soon after Christ's death; the second half of the Christian Bible)

devise (a will disposing of real property)

Derivation:

will (leave or give by will after one's death)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Determine by choice

Example:

This action was willed and intended

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "will" is one way to...):

decide; determine; make up one's mind (reach, make, or come to a decision about something)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

will (the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention)

will (a fixed and persistent intent or purpose)

willing (the act of making a choice)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Decree or ordain

Example:

God wills our existence

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "will" is one way to...):

ordain (issue an order)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Sense 3

Meaning:

Leave or give by will after one's death

Example:

My grandfather left me his entire estate

Synonyms:

bequeath; leave; will

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "will" is one way to...):

gift; give; present (give as a present; make a gift of)

Verb group:

leave; leave behind (be survived by after one's death)

give; impart; leave; pass on (transmit (knowledge or skills))

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "will"):

devise (give by will, especially real property)

pass on (give to or transfer possession of)

remember (show appreciation to)

entail; fee-tail (limit the inheritance of property to a specific class of heirs)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody something
Somebody ----s something to somebody

Sentence examples:

They will the money to them

They will them the money

Derivation:

will (a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die)

Credits

 Context examples: 

You will not find her there.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Ah, yes, this one will do.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

White Fang will have to learn many things, and it's just as well that he begins now.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

"How will we give the things?" asked Meg.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

You try yours and I will try mine.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mr. Utterson reflected; and then, raising his head, “If you will come with me in my cab,” he said, “I think I can take you to his house.”

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“That will do, Jim,” said his uncle, in a stern voice.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I doubt not that he will be back for them anon.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The chance that your dog or cat will make you sick is small.

(Animal Diseases and Your Health, NIH)

If you are having surgery, your doctor will give you a drug called an anesthetic.

(Anesthesia, NIH)