lottery

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   something that is regarded as a chance event

   the election was just a lottery to them

2. 2
   noun

   A scheme for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance, especially a gaming scheme in which one or more tickets bearing particular numbers draw prizes, the other tickets are blanks.

   Dave plays the lottery almost every week, but always picks different numbers.

3. 3
   noun

   Something decided by chance.

   It's a bit of a lottery whether we'll get a good table in that diner.

4. 4
   noun

   players buy (or are given) chances and prizes are distributed by casting lots

5. 5
   noun

   Allotment; a thing allotted.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian lotteria, from the same root as Old English hlot (cognate with English lot). Compare French loterie (from Middle Dutch loterie). By surface analysis, lot + -ery.