God did not work as a necessary, but a voluntary, agent, intending
beforehand, and decreeing with himself, that which did outwardly
proceed from him.
Hooker.
6. (Law) Free; without compulsion; according to the will, consent, or
agreement, of a party; without consideration; gratuitous; without
valuable consideration.
7. (Eccl.) Of or pertaining to voluntaryism; as, a voluntary church, in
distinction from an established or state church.
Voluntary affidavit or oath (Law), an affidavit or oath made in
extrajudicial matter. - - Voluntary conveyance (Law), a conveyance
without valuable consideration. — Voluntary escape (Law), the escape of
a prisoner by the express consent of the sheriff. — Voluntary
jurisdiction. (Eng. Eccl. Law) See Contentious jurisdiction, under
Contentious. — Voluntary waste. (Law) See Waste, n., 4.
Syn. — See Spontaneous.
Vol"un*ta*ry, n.; pl. Voluntaries (&?;). 1. One who engages in any
affair of his own free will; a volunteer. [R.] Shak.
2. (Mus.) A piece played by a musician, often extemporarily, according
to his fancy; specifically, an organ solo played before, during, or
after divine service.