Will (?), n. [OE. wille, AS. willa; akin to OFries. willa, OS. willeo,
willio, D. wil, G. wille, Icel. vili, Dan. villie, Sw. vilja, Goth
wilja. See Will, v.]
1. The power of choosing; the faculty or endowment of the soul by which
it is capable of choosing; the faculty or power of the mind by which we
decide to do or not to do; the power or faculty of preferring or
selecting one of two or more objects.
It is necessary to form a distinct notion of what is meant by the word
"volition" in order to understand the import of the word will, for this
last word expresses the power of mind of which "volition" is the act.
Stewart.
Will is an ambiguous word, being sometimes put for the faculty of
willing; sometimes for the act of that faculty, besides [having] other
meanings. But "volition" always signifies the act of willing, and
nothing else.
Reid.
Appetite is the will's solicitor, and the will is appetite's
controller; what we covet according to the one, by the other we often
reject.
Hooker.
The will is plainly that by which the mind chooses anything.
J. Edwards.
2. The choice which is made; a determination or preference which
results from the act or exercise of the power of choice; a volition.
The word "will," however, is not always used in this its proper
acceptation, but is frequently substituted for "volition", as when I
say that my hand mover in obedience to my will.
Stewart.
3. The choice or determination of one who has authority; a decree; a
command; discretionary pleasure.
Thy will be done.
Matt. vi. 10.
Our prayers should be according to the will of God.
Law.