Main Entry: ¹lot

Pronunciation: \ˈlät\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hlot; akin to Old High German hlōz

Date: before 12th century

1 : an object used as a counter in determining a question by chance
2 a : the use of lots as a means of deciding something b : the resulting choice
3 a : something that comes to one upon whom a lot has fallen : share b : one's way of life or worldly fate : fortune
4 a : a portion of land b : a measured parcel of land having fixed boundaries and designated on a plot or survey c : a motion-picture studio and its adjoining property d : an establishment for the storage or sale of motor vehicles <a used car lot>
5 a : a number of units of an article, a single article, or a parcel of articles offered as one item (as in an auction sale) b : all the members of a present group, kind, or quantity —usually used with the <sampled the whole lot of desserts>
6 a : a number of associated persons : set <fell in with a rough lot> b : kind, sort
7 : a considerable quantity or extent <a lot of money> <lots of friends>

synonyms see fate

— all over the lot : covering a wide or varied range <received bids all over the lot>

— a lot 1 : to a considerable degree or extent <this is a lot nicer>
2 : often, frequently <runs a lot every day>
3 : lots