involuntary

views updated May 14 2018

in·vol·un·tar·y / inˈvälənˌterē/ • adj. 1. done without conscious control: she gave an involuntary shudder. ∎  (esp. of muscles or nerves) concerned in bodily processes that are not under the control of the will. ∎  caused unintentionally, esp. through negligence: involuntary homicide.2. done against someone's will; compulsory: a policy of involuntary repatriation.DERIVATIVES: in·vol·un·tar·i·ly / inˌvälənˈte(ə)rəlē; -ˈvälənˌter-/ adv.in·vol·un·tar·i·ness n.

involuntary

views updated May 21 2018

involuntary (in biology) Not under the control of the will of an individual. Involuntary responses by muscles, glands, etc., occur automatically when required; many such responses, such as gland secretion, heartbeat, and peristalsis, are controlled by the autonomic nervous system and effected by involuntary muscle.

involuntary

views updated May 14 2018

involuntary XVI. — late L.; see IN-2.

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