involuntary
AdjectiveUS[in-vol-uhn-ter-ee]/ˌɪnˈvɑlənˌtɛri/5 syllables
Open English WordNet
Adjective (2)
- not subject to the control of the will“involuntary manslaughter”“involuntary servitude”“an involuntary shudder”“It (becoming a hero) was involuntary. They sank my boat — John F.Kennedy”Synonyms: nonvoluntaryunvoluntaryOpposite voluntarySimilar driven, unconscious, forced, unwilling, unwilledSee also unconscious, unwilling
- controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control“involuntary muscles”“gave an involuntary start”Opposite voluntarySimilar autonomic, automatic, vegetative
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
In·vol′un·ta·ry adjective
Origin: L. involuntarius. See In- not, and Voluntary.
1. Not having will or the power of choice.
2. Not under the influence or control of the will; not voluntary; as, the involuntary movements of the body; involuntary muscle fibers.
3. Not proceeding from choice; done unwillingly; reluctant; compulsory; as, involuntary submission.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54