01 a. Depending on will or discretion; not governed by any fixed rules; as, an arbitrary decision; an arbitrary punishment.
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1.
Depending on will or discretion; not governed by any fixed rules; as, an arbitrary decision; an arbitrary punishment.“It was wholly arbitrary in them to do so.” — Jer. Taylor.“Rank pretends to fix the value of every one, and is the most arbitrary of all things.” — Landor.
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2.
Exercised according to one's own will or caprice, and therefore conveying a notion of a tendency to abuse the possession of power.“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused licentiousness.” — Washington.
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3.
Despotic; absolute in power; bound by no law; harsh and unforbearing; tyrannical; as, an arbitrary prince or government.
Phrases & compounds
Arbitrary constant —
a quantity of function that is introduced into the solution of a problem, and to which any value or form may at will be given, so that the solution may be made to meet special requirements.
Arbitrary quantity —
one to which any value can be assigned at pleasure.