velleity

Ms. Marcus also errantly dismissed the Constitution’s separation of powers, which entrusts “all legislative powers” to Congress, as a mere velleity that should yield to executive legislation when Congress is divided.

It was the least effort he could spend — a velleity — to appease them and avoid being sent to the gulag, or worse.

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.

They have but the velleity of the eunuch.

But these velleities are foolish and venially sinful, and often on account of danger they are mortally sinful.