Lot /(lŏt)/
Lot
n.
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That which happens without human design or forethought; chance; accident; hazard; fortune; fate.
But save my life, which lot before your foot doth lay.
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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.
If we draw lots, he speeds.
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The part, or fate, which falls to one, as it were, by chance, or without his planning.
O visions ill foreseen! Each day's lot's Enough to bear.
He was but born to try The lot of man -- to suffer and to die.
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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.
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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.
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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.
- 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.
Lot
v. t.
imp. & p. p. Lotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lotting
- To allot; to sort; to portion. [R.]
Phrases & Compounds
- To lot on
- to count or reckon upon; to expect with pleasure.