different between assiduous vs willing

English

Etymology

From Latin assiduus from assidere (“to sit down to”), from ad- (“to”) + sedere (“to sit”).

Cognate (via assidere) to assess.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??s?dju??s/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??s?d?u??s/

Adjective

assiduous (comparative more assiduous, superlative most assiduous)

1. Hard-working, diligent or regular (in attendance or work); industrious.

   Synonyms: meticulous, diligent, sedulous; see also Thesaurus:industrious

   • 1917, P. G. Wodehouse, "Bill the Bloodhound" in The Man With Two Left Feet and Other Stories:

     A good deal of assiduous attention had enabled Henry to win this place in her affections.

   • 2009, Will Pavia, "Allen Klein, accountant turned manager of the Beatles, dies at 77," The Times (UK), 6 July:

     Klein rose to prominence in the 1960s by assiduous application of accounting methods to the music industry.

Usage notes

• Since the 18th century, this term has sometimes carried a connotation of servility.

Derived terms

• assiduously
• assiduousness

Related terms

Translations

References

English

Etymology

• (adjective): Old English willende, present participle of willan
• (noun): Old English willung, from willian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?w?l??/
• Hyphenation: will?ing
• Rhymes: -?l??

Adjective

willing (comparative more willing, superlative most willing)

1. Ready to do something that is not (can't be expected as) a matter of course.

Synonyms

• agreeable, agreeing, consenting, voluntary; See also Thesaurus:acquiescent

Derived terms

• willing horse
• willingly
• willingness

Translations

Noun

willing (plural willings)

1. (rare or obsolete) The execution of a will.

Verb

willing

1. present participle of will

Further reading

• willing in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• willing in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.