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velleity

[ vuh-lee-i-tee ]
/ vəˈli ɪ ti /
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See synonyms for velleity on Thesaurus.com
noun, plural vel·le·i·ties.
volition in its weakest form.
a mere wish, unaccompanied by an effort to obtain it.
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Origin of velleity

First recorded in 1630–40; from Medieval Latin velleitās, equivalent to Latin velle “to be willing, want” + -itās -ity

Words nearby velleity

velic, veliger, Velikiye Luki, velitation, velites, velleity, vellicate, Vellore, vellum, vellus hair, Velma
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to velleity

imagination, inclination, affection, appetite, aptitude, bias, capability, desire, disposition, impulse, leaning, penchant, predilection, predisposition, preference, prejudice, proclivity, propensity, temperament, affinity

How to use velleity in a sentence

  • How would it be possible to resist the will of God, supposing of course that it was his real will, not a mere velleity?

    The Essence of Christianity|Ludwig Feuerbach

  • But the desire by way of simple velleity may not be put into a proper prayer, when there is no hope.

    A Christian Directory (Part 2 of 4)|Richard Baxter

British Dictionary definitions for velleity

velleity
/ (vɛˈliːɪtɪ) /
noun plural -ties rare
the weakest level of desire or volition
a mere wish

Word Origin for velleity

C17: from New Latin velleitās, from Latin velle to wish
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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