Reference > American Heritage® > Dictionary
  Wills, Helen Newington Wilmington  
CONTENTS · INDEX · ILLUSTRATIONS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
   The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition.  2000.
 
willy-nilly
 
SYLLABICATION:wil·ly-nil·ly
PRONUNCIATION:  wl-nl
ADVERB:1. Whether desired or not: After her boss fell sick, she willy-nilly found herself directing the project. 2. Without order or plan; haphazardly.
ADJECTIVE:1. Being or occurring whether desired or not: willy-nilly cooperation. 2. Disordered; haphazard: willy-nilly zoning laws.
ETYMOLOGY:Alteration of will ye (or he), nill ye (or he), be you (or he) willing, be you (or he) unwilling.
 
 
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS · INDEX · ILLUSTRATIONS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
  Wills, Helen Newington Wilmington  
 
Google
Click here to shop the Bartleby Bookstore.
Welcome · Press · Advertising · Linking · Terms of Use · © 2008 Bartleby.com