01 n. That which happens without human design or forethought; chance; accident; hazard; fortune; fate.
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1.
That which happens without human design or forethought; chance; accident; hazard; fortune; fate.“But save my life, which lot before your foot doth lay.” — Spenser.
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2.
Anything (as a die, pebble, ball, or slip of paper) used in determining a question by chance, or without man's choice or will; as, to cast or draw lots.“The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” — Prov. xvi. 33.“If we draw lots, he speeds.” — Shak.
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4.
A separate portion; a number of things taken collectively; all objects sold in a single purchase transaction; as, a lot of stationery; -- colloquially, sometimes of people; as, a sorry lot; a bad lot.“I, this winter, met with a very large lot of English heads, chiefly of the reign of James I.” — Walpole.
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5.
A distinct portion or plot of land, usually smaller than a field; as, a building lot in a city.“The defendants leased a house and lot in the city of New York.” — Kent.
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6.
A large quantity or number; a great deal; as, to spend a lot of money; to waste a lot of time on line; lots of people think so.[Colloq.]“He wrote to her . . . he might be detained in London by a lot of business.” — W. Black.
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7.
A prize in a lottery.[Obs.]
Phrases & compounds
To cast in one's lot with —
to share the fortunes of.
To cast lots —
to use or throw a die, or some other instrument, by the unforeseen turn or position of which, an event is by previous agreement determined.
To draw lots —
to determine an event, or make a decision, by drawing one thing from a number whose marks are concealed from the drawer.
To pay scot and lot —
to pay taxes according to one's ability. See Scot.