random
(adjective) lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance; “a random choice”; “bombs fell at random”; “random movements”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
random (countable and uncountable, plural randoms)
A roving motion; course without definite direction; lack of rule or method; chance.
(obsolete) Speed, full speed; impetuosity, force. [14th-17thc.]
(obsolete) The full range of a bullet or other projectile; hence, the angle at which a weapon is tilted to allow the greatest range. [16th-19thc.]
(figuratively, colloquial) An undefined, unknown or unimportant person; a person of no consequence. [from 20thc.]
(mining) The direction of a rake-vein.
• (speed; force): force, momentum, speed, velocity
• (unimportant person): rando, nobody, nonentity
random (comparative more random, superlative most random)
Having unpredictable outcomes and, in the ideal case, all outcomes equally probable; resulting from such selection; lacking statistical correlation.
(mathematics) Of or relating to probability distribution.
(computing) Pseudorandom; mimicking the result of random selection.
(somewhat colloquial) Representative and undistinguished; typical and average; selected for no particular reason.
(somewhat colloquial) Apropos of nothing; lacking context; unexpected; having apparent lack of plan, cause, or reason.
(colloquial) Characterized by or often saying random things; habitually using non sequiturs.
• (having unpredictable outcomes): aleatory
• (of or relating to probability distribution): stochastic
• (pseudorandom): pseudorandom
• (representative and undistinguished): average, typical
• (lacking context): arbitrary, unexpected, unplanned
• Damron, Dorman, Mardon, Rodman, mandor, rodman
Source: Wiktionary
Ran"dom, n. Etym: [OE. randon, OF. randon force, violence, rapidity, a randon, de randon, violently, suddenly, rapidly, prob. of German origin; cf. G. rand edge, border, OHG. rant shield, edge of a shield, akin to E. rand, n. See Rand, n.]
1. Force; violence. [Obs.] For courageously the two kings newly fought with great random and force. E. Hall.
2. A roving motion; course without definite direction; want of direction, rule, or method; hazard; chance; -- commonly used in the phrase at random, that is, without a settled point of direction; at hazard. Counsels, when they fly At random, sometimes hit most happily. Herrick. O, many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant ! Sir W. Scott.
3. Distance to which a missile is cast; range; reach; as, the random of a rifle ball. Sir K. Digby.
4. (Mining)
Definition: The direction of a rake-vein. Raymond.
Ran"dom, a.
Definition: Going at random or by chance; done or made at hazard, or without settled direction, aim, or purpose; hazarded without previous calculation; left to chance; haphazard; as, a random guess. Some random truths he can impart. Wordsworth. So sharp a spur to the lazy, and so strong a bridle to the random. H. Spencer. Random courses (Masonry), courses of unequal thickness.
– Random shot, a shot not directed or aimed toward any particular object, or a shot with the muzzle of the gun much elevated.
– Random work (Masonry), stonework consisting of stones of unequal sizes fitted together, but not in courses nor always with flat beds.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
23 November 2024
(adjective) concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; “theoretical science”
Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.
