Tuesday, March 02, 2010

WORD of the day

arbitrary/AHR-buh-trair-ee/; adjective
: Determined by whim or caprice: existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance

Example Sentence: The network’s failures seemed completely arbitrary, going up and down at odd times all day long.

Did you know?
The Latin word "arbiter" means "judge," and the English adopted it, via Anglo-French, with the meaning "one who judges a dispute"; it can now also be used for anyone whose judgment is respected.

"Arbitrary" traces back to the Latin adjective "arbitrarius" ("done by way of legal arbitration"), which itself comes from "arbiter." Today, it can also be used for anything determined by or as if by a personal choice or whim.

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