velleity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The moviemakers have replaced this love story of tortured velleity with one of more baroque appeal�one scarcely, however, so recognizably Venetian, American, or, to name the spade, anything.

From Time Magazine Archive

This theory and the subtleties derived from it, far from characterizing art, represent its contrary: the impotent velleity for art, which cannot slay abstractions and come in contact with life.

From Aesthetic as Science of Expression and General Linguistic by Croce, Benedetto

A velleity we might say is the will directed to an end which is either relatively or absolutely impossible; will is that which becomes effective.

From The Reform of Education by Gentile, Giovanni

Skill, endurance, and perseverance may almost be called muscular virtues; and fatigue, velleity, caprice, ennui, restlessness, lack of control and poise, muscular faults.

From Youth: Its Education, Regimen, and Hygiene by Hall, G. Stanley

Will is devoid of intellect, as intellect is deprived of velleity.

From The Sceptics of the Old Testament: Job - Koheleth - Agur by Dillon, Emile Joseph