Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

lottery

 - 3 dictionary results

lot⋅ter⋅y

  [lot-uh-ree]
Use lottery in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ter⋅ies.
1. a gambling game or method of raising money, as for some public charitable purpose, in which a large number of tickets are sold and a drawing is held for certain prizes.
2. any scheme for the distribution of prizes by chance.
3. any happening or process that is or appears to be determined by chance: to look upon life as a lottery.
Origin:
1560–70; < MD loterie (whence also F loterie). See lot, -ery
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To lottery
lot·ter·y   (lŏt'ə-rē)   
n.   pl. lot·ter·ies

  1. A contest in which tokens are distributed or sold, the winning token or tokens being secretly predetermined or ultimately selected in a random drawing.

  2. A selection made by lot from a number of applicants or competitors: The state uses a lottery to assign spaces in the campground.

  3. An activity or event regarded as having an outcome depending on fate: They considered combat duty a lottery.


[French loterie, probably from Dutch loterije, from Middle Dutch, from lot, lot.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

lottery 
1567, "arrangement for a distribution of prizes by chance," from It. lotteria, from same root as O.E. hlot (see lot).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see lottery on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way