| arbitrary | |
| 1. adj. (usually of a decision) 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. | |
| 2. adj. Determined by impulse rather than reason; heavy-handed. | |
| 3. adj. (mathematics) Any, out of all that are possible. | |
| The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x. | |
| 4. adj. Determined by independent arbiter. | |
| 5. adj. (linguistics) Not representative or symbolic; not iconic. | |
| 6. n. Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee. | |
