Random \Ran"dom\, a. Going at random or by chance; done or made at hazard, or without settled direction, aim, or purpose; hazarded without previous calculation; left to chance; haphazard; as, a random guess.

Some random truths he can impart. --Wordsworth.

So sharp a spur to the lazy, and so strong a bridle to the random. --H. Spencer.

Random courses (Masonry), courses of unequal thickness.

Random shot, a shot not directed or aimed toward any particular object, or a shot with the muzzle of the gun much elevated.

Random work (Masonry), stonework consisting of stones of unequal sizes fitted together, but not in courses nor always with flat beds.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Random \Ran"dom\, n. [OE. randon, OF. randon force, violence, rapidity, a randon, de randon, violently, suddenly, rapidly, prob. of German origin; cf. G. rand edge, border, OHG. rant shield, edge of a shield, akin to E. rand, n. See Rand, n.]

1. Force; violence. [Obs.]

For courageously the two kings newly fought with great random and force. --E. Hall.

2. A roving motion; course without definite direction; want of direction, rule, or method; hazard; chance; -- commonly used in the phrase at random, that is, without a settled point of direction; at hazard.

Counsels, when they fly At random, sometimes hit most happily. --Herrick.

O, many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant ! --Sir W. Scott.

3. Distance to which a missile is cast; range; reach; as, the random of a rifle ball. --Sir K. Digby.

4. (Mining) The direction of a rake-vein. --Raymond.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)