arbitrary
Based on individual discretion or judgmentBased on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.
» We can't tolerate such an arbitrary act.
Мы не можем терпеть такой произвол.
Meaning
5 senses(usually)Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.
Benjamin Franklin's designation of "positive" and "negative" to different charges was arbitrary.
The decision to use 18 years as the legal age of adulthood was arbitrary, as both age 17 and 19 were reasonable alternatives.
willkürlich, nach Ermessen, in freiem Ermessen
произво́льныйproizvólʹnyj
based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice
Determined by impulse rather than reason; often connoting heavy-handedness.
willkürlich, arbiträr, eigenwillig
произво́льныйproizvólʹnyj
Any, out of all that are possible.
The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x.
beliebig, frei wählbar
произвольныйproizvolʹnyj
Determined by independent arbiter.
Not representative or symbolic; not iconic.
Examples
28 sentencesWe can't tolerate such an arbitrary act.
ruМы не можем терпеть такой произвол.
Memory is a capricious and arbitrary creature.
Lemma 5 cannot be generalized to arbitrary artinian rings.
ruЛемма 5 не обобщается на случай произвольных артиновых колец.
deLemma 5 kann nicht für beliebige artinische Ringe verallgemeinert werden.
Latin word order is free, but not arbitrary.
deDie Wortstellung im Lateinischen ist frei, aber nicht beliebig.
These things are and always will be arbitrary.
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 2
By meaning 3
Origin
From Middle English arbitrarie, Latin arbitrārius (“arbitrary, uncertain”), from arbiter (From Middle English arbitrarie, Latin arbitrārius (“arbitrary, uncertain”), from arbiter (“witness, on-looker, listener, judge, overseer”).
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
more arbitrary, most arbitrary| Comparative | more arbitrary Lesson |
|---|---|
| Superlative | most arbitrary Lesson |
regular
Antonyms
1 antonymsWord family
15 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A2Comparatives — Because it has a comparative form
- A2Superlatives — Because it has a superlative form