[ran.dom] n [ME, impetuosity, fr. MF randon, fr. OF, fr. randir to run, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG rinnan to run--more at run] (1561): a haphazard course -- at random : without definite aim, direction, rule, or method
[2]random adj (1565) 1 a: lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern b: made, done, or chosen at random "read ~ passages from the book"
2. a: relating to, having, or being elements or events with definite probability of occurrence "~ processes" b: being or relating to a set or to an element of a set each of whose elements has equal probability of occurrence "a ~ sample"; also: characterized by procedures designed to obtain such sets or elements "~ sampling" -- ran.dom.ly adv -- ran.dom.ness n syn random, haphazard, casual mean determined by accident rather than design. random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure "a random selection of books". haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence "a haphazard collection of rocks". casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose "a casual collector". [3]random adv (1618): in a random manner