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aleatoric - 3 dictionary results

a⋅le⋅a⋅to⋅ry

  [ey-lee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, al-ee-]
Use aleatoric in a Sentence
–adjective
1. Law. depending on a contingent event: an aleatory contract.
2. of or pertaining to accidental causes; of luck or chance; unpredictable: an aleatory element.
3. Music. employing the element of chance in the choice of tones, rests, durations, rhythms, dynamics, etc.
Also, a⋅le⋅a⋅tor⋅ic  [ey-lee-uh-tawr-ik, -tor-, al-ee-] .

Origin:
1685–95; < L āleātōrius, equiv. to āleātōr- (s. of āleātor gambler (āle(a) game of chance + -ātor -ator ) + -ius adj. suffix; see -tory 1
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To aleatoric
a·le·a·to·ry   (ā'lē-ə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē)   
adj.  
  1. Dependent on chance, luck, or an uncertain outcome: an aleatory contract between an oil prospector and a landowner.
  2. Of or characterized by gambling: aleatory contests.
  3. also a·le·a·to·ric (ā'lē-ə-tôr'ĭk, -tōr'-) Music Using or consisting of sounds to be chosen by the performer or left to chance; indeterminate: An object placed inside the piano added an aleatory element to the piece.

[Latin āleātōrius, from āleātor, gambler, from ālea, game of chance, die.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry:  aleatoric
Part of Speech:  adj
Definition:  done randomly; characterized by chance, often in reference to art or music
Example:  Aleatoric music incorporates elements of chance in its structure.
Etymology:  from 'aleatory' which derives from 'alea', a die, the dice
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