/lot"euh ree/ , n. , pl. lotteries .
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.
[ 1560-70; loterie (whence also F loterie ). See LOT, -ERY ]