Spontaneities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Spontaneity \Spon`ta*ne"i*ty\ (sp[o^]n`t[.a]*n[=e]"[i^]*t[y^]),
     n.; pl. {Spontaneities} (-t[i^]z). [Cf. F.
     spontan['e]it['e].]
     1. The quality or state of being spontaneous, or acting from
        native feeling, proneness, or temperament, without
        constraint or external force.


        [1913 Webster]
  
              Romney Leigh, who lives by diagrams,
              And crosses not the spontaneities
              Of all his individual, personal life
              With formal universals.               --Mrs.
                                                    Browning.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Biol.)
        (a) The tendency to undergo change, characteristic of both
            animal and vegetable organisms, and not restrained or
            checked by the environment.
        (b) The tendency to activity of muscular tissue, including
            the voluntary muscles, when in a state of healthful
            vigor and refreshment.
            [1913 Webster]