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velleity

[ vuh-lee-i-tee ]
/ vəˈli ɪ ti /
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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.
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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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?

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

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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