'Will he nill he' definitions:
Definition of 'Will he nill he'
From: GCIDE
- Nill \Nill\, v. i. To be unwilling; to refuse to act. [1913 Webster]
- The actions of the will are "velle" and "nolle," to will and nill. --Burton. [1913 Webster]
- Will he, nill he, whether he wills it or not; usually contracted to willy-nilly. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Will he nill he'
From: GCIDE
- Will \Will\, v. i. To be willing; to be inclined or disposed; to be pleased; to wish; to desire. [1913 Webster]
- And behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus . . . touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. --Matt. viii.
- 2, 3. [1913 Webster]
- Note: This word has been confused with will, v. i., to choose, which, unlike this, is of the weak conjugation. [1913 Webster]
- Will I, nill I, or Will ye, hill ye, or {Will he, nill he}, whether I, you, or he will it or not; hence, without choice; compulsorily; -- commonly abbreviated to {willy nilly}. "If I must take service willy nilly." --J. H. Newman. "Land for all who would till it, and reading and writing will ye, nill ye." --Lowell. [1913 Webster]