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Webster 1913 Edition

Random

Ran′dom

(răn′dŭm)
,
Noun.
[OE.
randon
, OF.
randon
force, violence, rapidity, à
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
,
Noun.
]
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)
The direction of a rake-vein.
Raymond.

Ran′dom

,
Adj.
1.
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.
at random
in a manner so that all possible results have an equal probability of occurrence; for processes, each possible result is counted separately although the same type of result may occur more than once .
–
Random courses
(Masonry)
,
courses of stone 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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Random

RAN'DOM

, n.
1.
A roving motion or course without direction; hence, want of direction, rule or method; hazard; chance; used in the phrase, at random, that is, without a settled point of direction; at hazard.
2.
Course; motion; progression; distance of a body thrown; as the furthest random of a missile weapon.

RAN'DOM

, a.
1.
Done at hazard or without settled aim or purpose; left to chance; as a random blow.
2.
Uttered or done without previous calculation; as a random guess.

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