English Explanatory Dictionary

lottery

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. 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.
  2. Something decided by chance.
  3. Allotment; a thing allotted.

Pronunciation

/ˈlɒtəɹi/ /ˈlɒtɹi/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Berrely-lottery.wav /ˈlɑtɚi/ en-us-lottery.oga

Word forms

lottery lotteries

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.

Derived words

antilottery draft lottery e-lottery genetic lottery ghetto lottery ladder lottery lotologist lotterylike lottery ticket nigger lottery nonlottery postcode lottery silicon lottery St. Petersburg lottery video lottery terminal win the lottery
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