arbitrariness
Use Arbitrariness in a sentence
bɪˌtrɛr adjective
1.
2.
decided by a judge or arbiter rather than by a law or statute.
3.
having unlimited power; uncontrolled or unrestricted by law; despotic; tyrannical: an arbitrary government.
4.
capricious; unreasonable; unsupported: an arbitrary demand for payment.
5.
Mathematics. undetermined; not assigned a specific value: an arbitrary constant.
noun
6.
00:10
Arbitrariness
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To arbitrariness
Collins
World English Dictionary
arbitrary (ˈɑːbɪtrərɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | founded on or subject to personal whims, prejudices, etc; capricious |
| 2. | having only relative application or relevance; not absolute |
| 3. | (of a government, ruler, etc) despotic or dictatorial |
| 4. | maths not representing any specific value: an arbitrary constant |
| 5. | law (esp of a penalty or punishment) not laid down by statute; within the court's discretion |
| [C15: from Latin arbitrārius arranged through arbitration, uncertain] | |
| 'arbitrarily | |
| —adv | |
| 'arbitrariness | |
| —n | |
| arbitrary (ˈɑːbɪtrərɪ) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | founded on or subject to personal whims, prejudices, etc; capricious |
| 2. | having only relative application or relevance; not absolute |
| 3. | (of a government, ruler, etc) despotic or dictatorial |
| 4. | maths not representing any specific value: an arbitrary constant |
| 5. | law (esp of a penalty or punishment) not laid down by statute; within the court's discretion |
| [C15: from Latin arbitrārius arranged through arbitration, uncertain] | |
| 'arbitrarily | |
| —adv | |
| 'arbitrariness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
arbitrary
early 15c., "deciding by one's own discretion," from L. arbitrarius "depending on the will, uncertain," from arbiter (see arbiter). The original meaning gradually descended to "capricious" and "despotic" (1640s).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The fundamental arbitrariness of beliefs should teach us to be tolerant.
More importantly, the arbitrariness of the media coverage may create a skewed public perception regarding risks.
But as the desperate reach for some larger meaning begins, the sheer arbitrariness of his approach is laid bare.
It would reveal an underlying order to the seeming arbitrariness of nature.
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