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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Random \Ran"dom\, a.
1. 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.
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Some random truths he can impart. --Wordsworth.
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So sharp a spur to the lazy, and so strong a bridle
to the random. --H. Spencer.
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2. (Statistics) Of, pertaining to, or resulting from a
process of selection from a starting set of items, in
which the probability of selecting any one object in the
starting set is equal to the probability of selecting any
other.
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3. (Construction) of unequal size or shape; made from
components of unequal size or shape.
[PJC]

{at random} in a manner so that all possible results have an
equal probability of occurrence; for processes, each
possible result is counted separately although the same
type of result may occur more than once .

{Random courses} (Masonry), courses of stone of unequal
thickness.

{Random shot}, a shot not directed or aimed toward any
particular object, or a shot with the muzzle of the gun
much elevated.

{Random work} (Masonry), stonework consisting of stones of
unequal sizes fitted together, but not in courses nor
always with flat beds.
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Random \Ran"dom\ (r[a^]n"d[u^]m), n. [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}, n.]
1. Force; violence. [Obs.]
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For courageously the two kings newly fought with
great random and force. --E. Hall.
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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.
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Counsels, when they fly
At random, sometimes hit most happily. --Herrick.
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O, many a shaft, at random sent,
Finds mark the archer little meant! --Sir W.
Scott.
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3. Distance to which a missile is cast; range; reach; as, the
random of a rifle ball. --Sir K. Digby.
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4. (Mining) The direction of a rake-vein. --Raymond.
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