arbitrary

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English arbitrarie, Latin arbitrārius (“arbitrary, uncertain”), from arbiter (“witness, on-looker, listener, judge, overseer”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɑː.bɪ.tɹə.ɹi/, (haplology) /ˈɑː.bɪ.tɹi/ (General American, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈɑɹ.bɪˌtɹɛɹ.i/, [ˈɑɹ.bɪˌt͡ʃɹ̊ɛɹ.i] (Australian) IPA(key): /ˈɐː.bɪ.tɹə.ɹi/ (New Zealand) IPA(key): /ˈɐː.bə.tɹə.ɹi/ === Adjective === arbitrary (comparative more arbitrary, superlative most arbitrary) (usually of a decision) Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random. Determined by impulse rather than reason; often connoting heavy-handedness. 1937/1938, Albert Einstein, letter to Max Born (mathematics) Any, out of all that are possible. Determined by independent arbiter. (linguistics) Not representative or symbolic; not iconic. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === arbitrary (plural arbitraries) Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee. ==== Derived terms ==== === Further reading === “arbitrary”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “arbitrary”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. arbitrariness on Wikipedia.Wikipedia