Category:Random

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)

Defn: the direction of a rake-vein. Raymond.

Random Ran"dom, a.

Defn: 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.