freewill

[ free-wil ]

adjective

1. made or done freely or of one's own accord; voluntary:

   a freewill contribution to a political fund.

2. of or relating to the metaphysical doctrine of the freedom of the will:

   the freewill controversy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of freewill¹

First recorded in 1525–35; free + will ²

Example Sentences

She had never taken a dose of medicine in her life, and never would, of her own freewill.

From Project Gutenberg

This ability to switch on or off constitutes our measure of freewill, our power of saying yes or no.

From Project Gutenberg

They are poor and have to beg, but they receive freewill offerings from the nomads living in the neighbourhood.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides this, they were required to bring a freewill offering to God, every time they went up to the three great yearly festivals.

From Project Gutenberg

And he was like one that slideth down a hill and can arrest his descent with a foot, yet faileth that freewill.

From Project Gutenberg