| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| will2 |
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| PRONUNCIATION: |  w l |
| AUXILIARY VERB: | Inflected forms: Past tense would ( w d)
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. | | TRANSITIVE & INTRANSITIVE VERB: | To wish; desire: Do what you will. Sit here if you will. See Usage Note at shall. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English willen, to intend to, from Old English willan. See wel-1 in Appendix I.
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| 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. |
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