velleitas

From vell(e)- (the stem used to form the imperfect subjunctive forms of volō (“to want, will; to wish”)) + -(i)tās, suggesting a weaker degree of desire and uncertainty, as in vellet (“one would want”); in contrast to the simple indicative expression of will of voluntās, as in volunt (“they want”). A technical term finding use primarily in the philosophical and theological treatises of medieval European scholastics.

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): [wɛlˈle.ɪ.taːs]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): [velˈlɛː.i.tas]

velleitās f (genitive velleitātis); third declension (Medieval Latin, philosophy, theology)

1. velleity (a mere wish not leading to any action)
   • 1252 – 1256, Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on the Sentences of Peter Lombard Sent.II.D33.Q2.A2.Rep2:^[1]

     quod quamvis voluntas sit possibilium et impossibilium, ut in 3 Ethicorum dicitur, tamen voluntas ordinata et completa non est nisi eorum ad quae quis aliquo modo ordinatus est; et si in tali voluntate deficiant homines dolent; non autem si deficiant ab illa voluntate quae impossibilium est, quae potius velleitas quam voluntas debet dici; non enim aliquis illud vult simpliciter, sed vellet, si possibile foret.

     Although the will is for what is possible and what is impossible, as it says in the Ethics 3, the ordered and complete will is only for that to which one has in some way been ordered. If they fall short in such a will, human beings experience pain, but not if they fall short of the will for what is impossible, which should really be called a “velleity” rather than a will. For one is not willing the thing simply, but would will it if it were possible.

   • 1225 – 1228, Philippus Cancellarius, Summa de bono I.pp. 225–226:

     Sed voluntas magis ad indicationis officium retorquetur et quidam dixerunt velleitatem voluntatem incompletam, voluntatem per se completam que dicitur ab hoc verbo 'volo', non ab eo quod est 'vellem'.

     However voluntas (will) is more often used with an indicative function, and some have called an imperfect will a “velleity”, while the perfect will itself is called after the verb form “volo” (“I want”), not from the verb form “vellem” (“I would want”).

Third-declension noun.