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aleatory

adjective
ale·​a·​to·​ry | \ ˈā-lē-ə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce aleatory (audio) \

Definition of aleatory

1 : depending on an uncertain event or contingency as to both profit and loss an aleatory contract
2 : relating to luck and especially to bad luck
3 : aleatoric

Did You Know?

If you're the gambling type, then chances are good you've come across aleatory in your travels. Deriving from the Latin noun alea, which refers to a kind of dice game, aleatory was first used in English in the late 17th century to describe things that are dependent on uncertain odds, much like a roll of the dice. The term now describes things that occur by sheer chance or accident, such as the unlucky bounce of a golf shot or the unusual shape of an ink blot. Going a bit further, the term aleatory music, or chance music, describes a musical composition in which certain parts are left for the performer to concoct through improvisation.

First Known Use of aleatory

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for aleatory

Latin aleatorius of a gambler, from aleator gambler, from alea a dice game

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More Definitions for aleatory

aleatory

adjective
ale·​a·​to·​ry | \ ˈā-lē-ə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce aleatory (audio) \

Legal Definition of aleatory

: depending on an uncertain event or contingency as to both profit and loss the aleatory nature of a lawyer's contingency fee arrangement

History and Etymology for aleatory

Latin aleatorius of a gambler, from aleator gambler, dice player, from alea, a dice game

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