|
WordWealth:
velleity
vel·le·i·ty
 ,
n., pl. -ties.
1. volition in its
weakest form. 2. a mere wish, unaccompanied by an effort to
obtain it.
[1610–20; < NL velleitās,
equiv. to L velle to be willing + -itās
-ITY] (Random
House Webster's Unabridged).
Look at
Thesaurus
To become now a priest was an elevation of sorts; yet the
ceremony, as we would soon see, reinforced every contrast between the
life he would lead and the life of the high and
mighty, for whom the crowds roar and the bands play, courtiers and
servants surrounding them to gratify the least velleity, historians on
their toes to record their wispiest thought.
—— William F. Buckley,
Jr.;
Nearer, My God
The ease of her words, the control of them, was meant to convey to
Compton that her wish to know of her real parents was hardly more than
a velleity, a thought that would come to one while watering a
plant or peeling an orange. ——
Thomas
Savage;
The Sheep Queen
He does not shout out his wishes or velleities, unless invited
by his host to do so. ——
Philip Howard, 'Modern Manner';
Times (London), Sept 15, 2003
Look at
Thesaurus in depth
Back index, 'V'
Back index, 'U'
|
Next index, 'W'
>
WordWealth, HOME
iNTERNET
| The Atlantic-Quinion's
coverage
>
Language and Issues
>
Word Court; Debate your word
>
Word Watch
>
Word Improvisation
>
Words:
English from a British viewpoint |
 |
|
