Definition

1. Noun:
   • A method of making a random decision or selection: "drawing lots" refers to the process of determining an outcome by chance, typically using objects like straws, pebbles, or marked slips that are drawn, cast, or otherwise selected at random.
   • The act of casting or drawing lots: It specifically denotes the action or event where lots are used to decide something fairly and without bias.

Usage

• As a subject: "Drawing lots was the traditional way to choose the leader."
• As an object: "They settled the dispute by drawing lots."
• With prepositions: "The selection was made drawing lots." / "We decided drawing lots."

Examples

• Noun:
  • To ensure fairness, the committee resorted to drawing lots for the final spot.
  • Drawing lots is an ancient practice for distributing land or responsibilities.
  • The winner of the prize was determined by drawing lots from a hat.

Advanced Usage

• "to decide by drawing lots": to use this random method to make a final choice.
  • When the votes were tied, they had to decide by drawing lots.
• "the drawing of lots": a more formal variant with the same meaning.
  • The drawing of lots will commence at noon.

Variants and Related Words

• To draw lots (verb phrase): The action of performing this random selection.
  • They will draw lots to see who goes first.
• Lottery (n): A system of distributing prizes by lot or chance, often involving purchased tickets.
• Sortition (n): A formal term for the selection of political officials by random drawing, historically used in some democracies.

Synonyms

• Casting lots: Essentially identical in meaning and use.
• Random selection: A more general, descriptive term.
• Sortition: A formal, often historical or political, synonym.

Related Phrases

• To throw lots: A less common variant meaning the same as "to draw lots."
• To settle by lot: To resolve a matter using this chance method.
  • The ancient tribe would settle territorial disputes by lot.

Idioms

• "The luck of the draw": An idiom meaning an outcome determined purely by chance, directly related to the concept of drawing lots.
  • I didn't get the role I wanted, but that's just the luck of the draw.

Noun

1. making a chance decision by using lots (straws or pebbles etc.) that are thrown or drawn