'Lotteries' definitions:

Definition of 'Lotteries'

From: GCIDE
  • Lottery \Lot"ter*y\, n.; pl. Lotteries. [Lot + -ery, as in brewery, bindery.]
  • 1. A scheme for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance; esp., a gaming scheme in which one or more tickets bearing particular numbers draw prizes, and the rest of the tickets are blanks. Fig.: An affair of chance. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The laws of the United States and of most of the States make private lotteries illegal, except in certain circumstances for charitable institutions; however, many of the states now conduct lotteries tehmselves as a revenue source. [1913 Webster +PJC]
  • 2. Allotment; thing allotted. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Lotteries'