• Lot

    Pronunciation

    • UK enPR: lŏt, IPA: /lÉ’t/
    • US enPR: lät, IPA: /lÉ‘t/
    • Rhymes: -É’t

    Origin

    From Old English hlot ("portion, choice, decision"), from Proto-Germanic *hlutÄ…. Cognate with Dutch lot, Old High German hluz.

    Full definition of lot

    Noun

    lot

    (plural lots)
    1. A large quantity or number; a great deal.
      to spend a lot of money;  lots of people think so
      • W. BlackHe wrote to her ... he might be detained in London by a lot of business.
      • 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, Mr. Pratt's Patients Chapter 3, My hopes wa'n't disappointed. I never saw clams thicker than they was along them inshore flats. I filled my dreener in no time, and then it come to me that 'twouldn't be a bad idee to get a lot more, take 'em with me to Wellmouth, and peddle 'em out. Clams was fairly scarce over that side of the bay and ought to fetch a fair price.
    2. A separate portion; a number of things taken collectively.
      a lot of stationery
    3. One or more items auctioned or sold as a unit, separate from other items.
    4. (informal) A number of people taken collectively.
      a sorry lot; a bad lot
    5. A distinct portion or plot of land, usually smaller than a field.
      a building lot in a city
      • KentThe defendants leased a house and lot in the city of New York.
    6. That which happens without human design or forethought; chance; accident; hazard; fortune; fate.
      • SpenserBut save my life, which lot before your foot doth lay.
    7. Anything (as a die, pebble, ball, or slip of paper) used in determining a question by chance, or without human choice or will.
      to cast lots;  to draw lots
      • Bible, Proverbs xvi. 33The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
      • ShakespeareIf we draw lots, he speeds.
    8. The part, or fate, that falls to one, as it were, by chance, or without his planning.
      • MiltonO visions ill foreseen! Each day's lot's
        Enough to bear.
      • Alexander PopeHe was but born to try
        The lot of man — to suffer and to die.
      • Fielding Tom Jones|III|ii... as Jones alone was discovered, the poor lad bore not only the whole smart, but the whole blame; both which fell again to his lot on the following occasion.
    9. A prize in a lottery.
    10. Allotment; lottery.
      • 1990: Donald Kagan, Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy, chapter 2: “Politician”, page 40 (Guild Publishing; CN 2239)The Greeks expected their leaders to show physical courage, whether in the athletic arena or in battle, as well as piety, generosity, and nobility. Cimon had risen to power chiefly because of his military prowess, and any rival must be able to show at least honorable service and military competence. By this time, moreover, the generals were coming to be the most important political figures in Athens. Archons served only for one year and, since 487/6, they were chosen by lot. Generals, on the other hand, were chosen by direct election and could be reelected without limit.
    11. (definite, the lot) All members of a set; everything.The table was loaded with food, but by evening there was nothing but crumbs; we had eaten the lot.
      If I were in charge, I'd fire the lot of them.
    12. An old unit of weight used in many European countries from the Middle Ages, often defined as 1/30 or 1/32 of a (local) pound.

    Synonyms

    Derived terms

    Verb

    1. (transitive, dated) To allot; to sort; to apportion.
    2. (US, informal, dated) To count or reckon (on or upon).

    Anagrams

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