aleato-, aleat- +

(Greek > Latin: depending on chance or luck; pertaining to gambling; rolling of dice; game of hazard or chance)

aleatocracy (s) (noun), aleatocracies (pl)
A form of government in which the officials are decided by chance: The new aleatocracy of a few countries have resulted literally by drawing names from a hat for the president and vice president.
aleatocrat (s) (noun), aleatocrats (pl)
Someone who is chosen to a political position by chance: The new aleatocrat came into power with a roll of the dice because the legislatures kept coming up with a tie in their voting.
aleatocratic (adjective), more aleatocratic, most aleatocratic
Relating to the result of going into a governmental position by chance: The aleatocratic leadership of the country was a result of an unusual "luck of the draw".
aleatoric (adjective), more aleatoric, most aleatoric
1. A reference to something which is done randomly: Bill's aleatoric choices of words resulted in a confusing rendition of his lexicographic report to his fellow linguistic students.
2. Characterized by chance, often in reference to art or music: Frederic's performance involved aleatoric choices of notes rather than a fixed score.
aleatory (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Conveying a dependence on chance, luck, or an uncertain outcome: There was an aleatory contract between an oil prospector and a landowner to see if there was really any oil available.
2. Characterized by gambling: There was a series of aleatory contests at the local club to see if Sam would win or lose more money than he was investing with the roll of the dice.

The aleatory results of lotteries make it impossible to predict who the winners will be.

3. Relating to music that uses or contains sounds that are chosen by the performer or which are not determined in advance: The pianist presented certain aleatory elements in his presentation which included his personal improvisations.
Depending on chance or luck.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

A cross reference of other word family units that are related directly or indirectly to: "chance, luck, fate": auspic-; cad-; fortu-; -mancy; serendipity; sorc-; temer-; tycho-.