Wordsmith Talk |
About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | |||
Register Log In Wordsmith Talk Forums General Topics Miscellany nolens volens
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
This isn't nolens volens, but it is at least a second cousin:
willy-nilly
Function: adverb or adjective
Etymology: alteration of will I nill I or will ye nill ye or will he nill he
1 : by compulsion : without choice
(I don't include the 'spontaneous' definition #2 on purpose here because that's not a second cousin.)
unwillingness
Here are two very good words for that state: nolleity and nolition (n.).
willingness
Then there are velleity: just a wish to do something
And volition: a stronger, active determination to do something than mere velleity
So, nolens is like nolleity/nolition...
And volens is like velleity/volition...
And we can pounce the cat and have our nolleity velleity and nolition volition, I suppose.
Moderated by Jackie
Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics Forums16Topics13,916Posts230,318Members9,209 Most Online4,606
Sep 17th, 2025
Newest Members Peripatetic Toad, JerryC, blvd, Tony Hood, Wood Delivery
9,209 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days) A C Bowden 10
Top Posters wwh 13,858Faldage 13,803Jackie 11,613wofahulicodoc 11,163tsuwm 10,542LukeJavan8 9,974Buffalo Shrdlu 7,210AnnaStrophic 6,511Wordwind 6,296of troy 5,400
Forum Rules · Mark All Read Contact Us · Forum Help · Wordsmith Talk