|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
involuntary
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. |
|
|
Cite this article
"involuntary." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "involuntary." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-involuntary.html "involuntary." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-involuntary.html |
|
involuntary
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.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"involuntary." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "involuntary." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-involuntary.html "involuntary." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-involuntary.html |
|
involuntary
involuntary XVI. — late L.; see IN-2.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "involuntary." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "involuntary." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-involuntary.html T. F. HOAD. "involuntary." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-involuntary.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
