randomize
UK[ˈrændəmaɪz]US[ˈrændəmaɪz]
v
To arrange or select something in a way that has no specific pattern or plan, often by chance.
v
To make something random, especially in a scientific experiment or statistical process to avoid bias.
Morpheme Breakdown
random
ize
random
by chance
ize
to make
Etymology
The word 'randomize' is a modern scientific formation, combining the adjective 'random' with the productive verb-forming suffix '-ize'. The core element, 'random', entered English from Old French with a sense of impetuous speed or force, a meaning which evolved through the 17th century to denote actions or events lacking aim or direction, and finally to its modern statistical sense of having equal probability. The suffix '-ize', with its ancient Greek roots in creating verbs, systematically transforms this concept of chance into an active process: "to make random." Thus, 'randomize' logically describes the deliberate act of removing order or predictability, a concept crucial to fields like statistics, computing, and experimental design.
Analysis
Structure: random (by chance) + ize (to make)
- random: Origin: Old French randon (speed, violence, impetuosity), from Frankish rant (a running). Functional role: Base adjective meaning "governed by chance."
- ize: Origin: Greek -izein (verb-forming suffix), via Latin -izare and French -iser. Functional role: Derivational suffix meaning "to make, to cause to become."
Examples
Researchers must randomize the order of test questions to prevent sequence bias.
The computer program will randomize the list of participants for the draw.
To ensure fairness, the coach decided to randomize the team selection process.