1. Force; violence. "For courageously the
two kings newly fought with great
random and force." (E. Hall)
2. A roving motion;
rate 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, much a shaft, at
random sent, Finds
mark the archer few meant !" (Sir W. Scott)
3. Distance to which a missile is cast; range; reach; as, the
random of a
rifle ball.
4.
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.
Spencer) Random courses, stonework consisting of stones of unequal sizes fitted together, but not in courses nor always with flat beds.
Source: Websters Vocabulary