[ad. F. volontariat (1866), f. volontaire VOLUNTARY a.] Voluntary service, spec. of a military character. Also attrib.
1877. Daily News, 30 Oct., 3/1. The system which the Conservatives uphold involves a maintenance of the one-year voluntariate, which to the logic-loving and equality-loving Frenchman seems fraught with iniquity. Ibid. (1881), 7 June, 6/4. To the [German] army at large the one year voluntariate has rendered the most precious service.
1888. Times, 20 Nov., 5/3. In Vienna the medical students have drawn up a petition to the Reichsrath against the proposed changes in the one-year voluntariate.
