different between involuntary vs obligatory

English

Etymology

From in- +? voluntary, from Late Latin involontarius, from in + volontarius.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?n?v?l.?n?t?.?i/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?n?v?l.?n.t?i/
• Hyphenation: in?vol?un?ta?ry

Adjective

involuntary (comparative more involuntary, superlative most involuntary)

1. Without intention; unintentional.
2. Not voluntary or willing; contrary or opposed to explicit will or desire; unwilling.

Synonyms

• (without intention): inadvertent, unintended; see also Thesaurus:unintentional
• (not voluntary): unbewised, unvoluntary; see also Thesaurus:compulsory

Derived terms

• involuntarily
• involuntariness
• involuntary manslaughter

Related terms

• volunteer

Translations

References

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

English

Etymology

From Middle English obligatorie, from Latin obligat?rius.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /??bl???t??i/, /??bl???t??i/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /??bl???t(?)?i/

Adjective

obligatory (comparative more obligatory, superlative most obligatory)

1. Imposing obligation, legally, morally, or otherwise; binding; mandatory.
   • 1673, Richard Baxter, Christian Directory

     […] if he speak the words of an oath in a strange language, thinking they signify something else, or if he spake in his sleep, or deliration, or distraction, it is no oath, and so not obligatory.
2. Requiring a matter or obligation.

Synonyms

• bounden
• mandatory

Antonyms

• optional

Related terms

Translations

Further reading

• obligatory in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

Middle English

Adjective

obligatory

1. Alternative form of obligatorie