velleity

[vuh-lee-i-tee]

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noun, plural vel·le·i·ties.

volition in its weakest form.

a mere wish, unaccompanied by an effort to obtain it.

Origin of velleity

1610–20; < New Latin velleitās, equivalent to Latin velle to be willing + -itās -ity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for velleity

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

British Dictionary definitions for velleity

velleity

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

Word Origin and History for velleity

1610s, from Medieval Latin stem of velleitas (from Latin velle "to wish, will;" see will (v.)) + -ity.