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random

1. Force; violence. For courageously the two kings newly fought with great random and force. (E. Hall)

2. A roving motion; course without definite direction; want of direction, rule, or method; hazard; chance; commonly used in the phrase at random, that is, without a settled point of direction; at hazard. Counsels, when they fly At random, sometimes hit most happily. (Herrick) O, many a shaft, at random sent, finds mark the archer little meant ! (Sir W. Scott)

3. Distance to which a missile is cast; range; reach; as, the random of a rifle ball.

4. (Science: chemical) The direction of a rake-vein.

Origin: OE. Randon, OF. Randon force, violence, rapidity, a randon, de randon, violently, suddenly, rapidly, prob. Of German origin; cf. G. Rand edge, border, OHG. Rant shield, edge of a shield, akin to E. Rand, n. See Rand.

going at random or by chance; done or made at hazard, or without settled direction, aim, or purpose; hazarded without previous calculation; left to chance; haphazard; as, a random guess. Some random truths he can impart. (Wordsworth) So sharp a spur to the lazy, and so strong a bridle to the random. (H.

(Science: medicine) Spencer) Random courses, stonework consisting of stones of unequal sizes fitted together, but not in courses nor always with flat beds.