involuntary, a.
(ɪnˈvɒləntərɪ)
[ad. L. involuntāri-us, f. in- (in-3) + voluntārius voluntary: cf. F. involontaire (14th c., Oresme).]
1. Not voluntary; done or happening without exercise or without co-operation of the will; not done willingly or by choice; independent of volition, unintentional.
| 1531 Elyot Gov. iii. i, Intermedlynge involuntary somtyme is priuely done, as stelynge, auoutry, poisonyng, false⁓hede..somtyme it is violent, as batry, open murdre and manslaughter. 1578 Lyte Dodoens iv. xlv. 505 Phoenix..stoppeth..the inuoluntarie running of vrine. 1620 Granger Div. Logike 57 No pure involuntarie, or meere violent-compelled action is a sinne. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 154. ¶11 Sometimes unexpected flashes of instruction were struck out by..an involuntary concurrence of ideas. 1872 Darwin Emotions i. 37 Another familiar instance of a reflex action is the involuntary closing of the eyelids when the surface of the eye is touched. |
b. Physiol. Concerned in bodily actions or processes which are independent of the will.
| 1840 E. Wilson Anat. Vade M. (1842) 139 Muscles are divided into two great classes, voluntary and involuntary. 1887 Syd. Soc. Lex., I[nvoluntary] nerves, the nerves which supply involuntary muscles. |
2. Unwilling († to do something).
| 1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg. *iij, We shewe our selves involuntary to helpe the one the other. 1742 Pope Dunc. iv. 82 The gath'ring number, as it moves along, Involves a vast involuntary throng. |