lottery

Meaning

  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. (figuratively) Something decided by chance.
  3. (obsolete) Allotment; a thing allotted.

Frequency

C1
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈlɒtəɹi/
Etymology

In summary

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.

Notes

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