Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WILL, n. [San. willa; Goth. wilja; D. wil or wille; G. wille; Sw. vilje; Dan. villie; W. gwyll; Ir. ail; Gr. βουλη, counsel; Slav. volia. See the verb.]

1. That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue. The will is directed or influenced by the judgment. The understanding or reason compares different objects, which operate as motives; the judgment determines which is preferable, and the will decides which to pursue. In other words, we reason with respect to the value or importance of things; we then judge which is to be preferred and we will to take the most valuable. These are but different operations of the mind, soul, or intellectual part of man. Great disputes have existed respecting the freedom of the will. [Will is often quite a different thing from desire.] A power over a man's subsistence, amounts to a power over his will. – Federalist, Hamilton.
2. Choice; determination. It is my will to prosecute the trespasser.
3. Choice; discretion; pleasure. Go, then, the guilty at thy will chastise. – Pope.
4. Command; direction. Our prayers should be according to the will of God. – Law.
5. Disposition; inclination; desire. “What is your will, Sir?" In this phrase, the word may also signify determination, especially when addressed to a superior.
6. Power; arbitrary disposal. Deliver me not over to the will of my enemies. – Ps. xxvii.
7. Divine determination; moral purpose or counsel. Thy will be done. – Lord's Prayer.
8. Testament; the disposition of a man's estate, to take effect after his death. Wills are written, or nuncupative, that is, verbal. – Blackstone. Good will, favor; kindness. – Shak. #2. Right intention. – Phil. i. Ill will, enmity; unfriendliness. It expresses less than malice. To have one's will, to obtain what is desired. At will. To hold an estate at the will of another, is to enjoy the possession at his pleasure, and be liable to be ousted at any time by the lessor or proprietor. Will with a wisp, Jack with a lantern; ignis fatuus; a luminous appearance sometimes seen in the air over moist ground, supposed to proceed from hydrogen gas.