random

random [ran′dəm]

n.

[ME randoun < OFr randon, violence, speed (in a randon, violently) < randir, to run violently < Frank * rant, a running, akin to OHG rinnan, to RUN]

impetuous and haphazard movement: now only in at random, without careful choice, aim, plan, etc.; haphazardly

adj.

1. lacking aim or method; purposeless; haphazard

2. not uniform; esp., of different sizes: said of stones, etc. in certain types of masonry

3. Statistics of statistical sample selection in which all possible samples have equal probability of selection

randomly

adv.

randomness

n.

SYN.- RANDOM applies to that which occurs or is done without careful choice, aim, plan, etc. [a random remark ]; HAPHAZARD applies to that which is done, made, or said without regard for its consequences, relevance, etc. and therefore stresses the implication of accident or chance [a haphazard selection of books ]; CASUAL implies a happening or seeming to happen by chance without intention or purpose and often connotes nonchalance, indifference, etc. [a casual acquaintance ]; DESULTORY suggests a lack of method or system, as in jumping from one thing to another [his desultory reading in the textbook ]; CHANCE emphasizes accidental occurrence without prearrangement or planning [a chance encounter ] -ANT. DELIBERATE