Lottery

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈlÉ’tÉ™(ɹ)i/
• US IPA: /ˈlɑːɾɚɹi/

Origin

from Italian lotteria, from the same root as Old English hlot (cognate with lot).

Full definition of lottery

Noun

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) An affair of chance.
3. (obsolete, Shakespeare) Allotment; a thing allotted.