English Dictionary - With Multi-Lingual Search

English

Etymology
From mediæval Latin velleitas, from Latin velle �wish�, �will�.

Pronunciation
IPA|/v�'li:ɪti/

Noun
en-noun|velleit|ies

1. The lowest degree of desire or volition, with no effort to act.

#:*1973: This connoisseuse of �splendid weaknesses�, run not by any lust or even velleity but by vacuum: by the absence of human hope. � Thomas Pynchon, Gravity�s Rainbow

1. A slight wish not followed by any effort to obtain.

#:*1919: The debate in the House of Lords would convert the impartial listener from any velleity towards single-chamber government. � The Times, 24 Oct 1919, p.12 col. A

ru:velleity
vi:velleity
zh:velleity

• 2007-09-13 16:58 - 198.103.184.76 - /* Noun */

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