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2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]


  Arbitrary \Ar"bi*tra*ry\, a. [L. arbitrarius, fr. arbiter: cf.
     F. arbitraire. See Arbiter.]
     1. Depending on will or discretion; not governed by any fixed
        rules; as, an arbitrary decision; an arbitrary punishment.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              It was wholly arbitrary in them to do so. --Jer.
                                                    Taylor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Rank pretends to fix the value of every one, and is
              the most arbitrary of all things.     --Landor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Exercised according to one's own will or caprice, and
        therefore conveying a notion of a tendency to abuse the
        possession of power.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Arbitrary power is most easily established on the
              ruins of liberty abused licentiousness.
                                                    --Washington.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Despotic; absolute in power; bound by no law; harsh and
        unforbearing; tyrannical; as, an arbitrary prince or
        government.                                 --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Arbitrary constant, Arbitrary function (Math.), a
        quantity of function that is introduced into the solution
        of a problem, and to which any value or form may at will
        be given, so that the solution may be made to meet special
        requirements.
  
     Arbitrary quantity (Math.), one to which any value can be
        assigned at pleasure.
        [1913 Webster]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]


  Arbitrary \Ar"bi*tra*ry\, a. [L. arbitrarius, fr. arbiter: cf.
     F. arbitraire. See Arbiter.]
     1. Depending on will or discretion; not governed by any fixed
        rules; as, an arbitrary decision; an arbitrary punishment.
  
              It was wholly arbitrary in them to do so. --Jer.
                                                    Taylor.
  
              Rank pretends to fix the value of every one, and is
              the most arbitrary of all things.     --Landor.
  
     2. Exercised according to one's own will or caprice, and
        therefore conveying a notion of a tendency to abuse the
        possession of power.
  
              Arbitrary power is most easily established on the
              ruins of liberty abused licentiousness.
                                                    --Washington.
  
     3. Despotic; absolute in power; bound by no law; harsh and
        unforbearing; tyrannical; as, an arbitrary prince or
        government.                                 --Dryden.
  
     Arbitrary constant, Arbitrary function (Math.), a
        quantity of function that is introduced into the solution
        of a problem, and to which any value or form may at will
        be given, so that the solution may be made to meet special
        requirements.
  
     Arbitrary quantity (Math.), one to which any value can be
        assigned at pleasure.

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