at will

will ¹  (wl)

n.

1.

a. The mental faculty by which one deliberately chooses or decides upon a course of action: championed freedom of will against a doctrine of predetermination.

b. The act of exercising the will.

2.

a. Diligent purposefulness; determination: an athlete with the will to win.

b. Self-control; self-discipline: lacked the will to overcome the addiction.

3. A desire, purpose, or determination, especially of one in authority: It is the sovereign's will that the prisoner be spared.

4. Deliberate intention or wish: Let it be known that I took this course of action against my will.

5. Free discretion; inclination or pleasure: wandered about, guided only by will.

6. Bearing or attitude toward others; disposition: full of good will.

7.

a. A legal declaration of how a person wishes his or her possessions to be disposed of after death.

b. A legally executed document containing this declaration.

v. willed, will·ing, wills

v.tr.

1. To decide on; choose.

2. To yearn for; desire: "She makes you will your own destruction" (George Bernard Shaw).

3. To decree, dictate, or order.

4. To resolve with a forceful will; determine.

5. To induce or try to induce by sheer force of will: We willed the sun to come out.

6. To grant in a legal will; bequeath.

v.intr.

1. To exercise the will.

2. To make a choice; choose.

Idiom:

at will

Just as or when one wishes.

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[Middle English, from Old English willa; see wel-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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will ²  (wl)

aux.v. Past tense would (wd)

1. Used to indicate simple futurity: They will appear later.

2. Used to indicate likelihood or certainty: You will regret this.

3. Used to indicate willingness: Will you help me with this package?

4. Used to indicate requirement or command: You will report to me afterward.

5. Used to indicate intention: I will too if I feel like it.

6. Used to indicate customary or habitual action: People will talk.

7. Used to indicate capacity or ability: This metal will not crack under heavy pressure.

8. Used to indicate probability or expectation: That will be the messenger ringing.

tr. & intr.v.

To wish; desire: Do what you will. Sit here if you will. See Usage Note at shall.

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[Middle English willen, to intend to, from Old English willan; see wel-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Adv.

1.

at will - as one chooses or pleases; "he can roam the neighborhood at will"