lottery
UK[ˈlɒtəri]US[ˈlɑːtəri]
n
a way of raising money for a government, charity, or other cause by selling tickets and giving prizes to people whose tickets are chosen by chance
n
a situation whose success or result is based on chance rather than effort or skill
Etymology
the word "lottery" entered english in the mid-16th century from italian 'lotteria', which itself derived from 'lotto', meaning "lot, portion, or share". the italian 'lotto' has its roots in a germanic source, likely frankish hlot or old high german hlōz, meaning "object used to determine chance". this germanic term is cognate with old english 'hlot', which also meant "lot" or "portion determined by fate". the core concept has always been one of allocation by chance, evolving from casting physical lots to the organized, ticket-based system of prize distribution we recognize today.
Analysis
the word "lottery" is a simplex loanword from italian, where it functioned as a single unit. it is not productively segmented into smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern english.
Examples
she won a large sum of money in the state lottery.
getting that job was a complete lottery, with hundreds of qualified applicants.
proceeds from the charity lottery will fund the new community center.