LOTTERY

lottery, drawing

(noun) players buy (or are given) chances and prizes are distributed by casting lots

lottery

(noun) something that is regarded as a chance event; “the election was just a lottery to them”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

lottery (plural lotteries)

A scheme for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance, especially a gaming scheme in which one or more tickets bearing particular numbers draw prizes, the other tickets are blanks.

(figuratively) An affair of chance.

(obsolete, Shakespeare) Allotment; a thing allotted.

Source: Wiktionary

Lot"ter*y, n.; pl. Lotteries. Etym: [Lot + -ery, as in brewery, bindery.]

1. A scheme for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance; esp., a gaming scheme in which one or more tickets bearing particular numbers draw prizes, and the rest of tickets are blanks. Fig. : An affair of chance.

Note: The laws of the United States and of most of the States make lotteries illegal.

2. Allotment; thing allotted. [Obs.] Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition