In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
RANDOM
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
Etymology
Noun
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.
Synonyms
• (speed; force): force, momentum, speed, velocity
• (unimportant person): rando, nobody, nonentity
Adjective
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.
Synonyms
• (having unpredictable outcomes): aleatory
• (of or relating to probability distribution): stochastic
• (pseudorandom): pseudorandom
• (representative and undistinguished): average, typical
• (lacking context): arbitrary, unexpected, unplanned
Anagrams
• 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
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
23 April 2024
GRADUAL
(noun) (Roman Catholic Church) an antiphon (usually from the Book of Psalms) immediately after the epistle at Mass
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