involuntary

-
in|vol|un|tary /ɪnv'ɒləntri, AM -teri/
1 [ADJ]
If you make an involuntary movement or exclamation, you make it suddenly and without intending to because you are unable to control yourself.
Another surge of pain in my ankle caused me to give an involuntary shudder.
● involuntarily [ADV] ADV with v
His left eyelid twitched involuntarily.
2 [ADJ]
You use involuntary to describe an action or situation which is forced on someone.
...insurance policies that cover involuntary unemployment...
= forced

Popular posts from this blog

abreast

-
abreast / əbr'est / 1 [ADV] ADV after v, num ADV If people or things walk or move abreast , they are next to each other, side by side, and facing in the same direction. The steep pavement was too narrow for them to walk abreast. 2 [PREP-PHRASE] If you are abreast of someone or something, you are level with them or in line with them. As he drew abreast of the man he pretended to stumble. 3 [PREP-PHRASE] If you keep abreast of a subject, you know all the most recent facts about it. He will be keeping abreast of the news...
Read more

ablaze

-
ablaze / əbl'eɪz / 1 [ADJ] v n ADJ, v-link ADJ Something that is ablaze is burning very fiercely. Shops, houses, and vehicles were set ablaze. 2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ, usu ADJ with n If a place is ablaze with lights or colours, it is very bright because of them. The chamber was ablaze with light...
Read more

allowance

-
al|low|ance / əl'aʊəns / (allowances) 1 [N-COUNT] usu with supp, oft N of amount An allowance is money that is given to someone, usually on a regular basis, in order to help them pay for the things that they need. He lives on a single parent's allowance of £70 a week... 2 [N-COUNT] usu poss N A child's allowance is money that is given to him or her every week or every month by his or her parents. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use pocket money ) 3 [N-COUNT] usu with supp Your tax allowance is the amount of money that you are allowed to earn before you have to start paying income tax. (BRIT; in AM, use personal exemption ) ...those earning less than the basic tax allowance. 4 [N-COUNT] with supp A particular type of allowance is an amount of something that you are allowed in particular circumstances. Most of our flights have a baggage allowance of 44lbs per passenger. 5 [PHRASE] V and N inflect, oft PHR for n If you make allowances for something, y...
Read more