arbitrary

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Based on personal choice or chance rather than on any clear reason or rule.

   The order of the names on the list seems completely arbitrary.

2. 2
   adj

   Using power in an unfair, harsh way without good reason or limits.

   People lived in fear of the ruler's arbitrary punishments.

3. 3
   adj

   Any one chosen from all those possible, with no particular one intended.

   The equation holds true for an arbitrary value of x.

Etymology tree Latin arbiter Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzios Latin -ārius Latin arbitrāriusder. Middle English arbitrarie English arbitrary From Middle English arbitrarie, Latin arbitrārius (“arbitrary, uncertain”), from arbiter (“witness, on-looker, listener, judge, overseer”).

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