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arbitrary definition

ar·bi·trary (ärbə trer′ē)

adjective

  1. not fixed by rules, but left to one's judgment or choice; discretionary arbitrary decision, arbitrary judgment
  2. based on one's preference, notion, whim, etc.; capricious young children and their arbitrary rules for games
  3. absolute; despotic

Etymology: L arbitrarius < arbiter, arbiter

Related Forms:

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