Main Entry: lot·tery

Pronunciation: \ˈlä-tə-rē also ˈlä-trē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural lot·ter·ies

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle French loterie, from Middle Dutch, from lot lot; akin to Old English hlot lot

Date: 1567

1 a : a drawing of lots in which prizes are distributed to the winners among persons buying a chance b : a drawing of lots used to decide something
2 : an event or affair whose outcome is or seems to be determined by chance