2. The award of arbitrators. Cowell.
Arbitrarily
(Ar"bi*tra*ri*ly) adv. In an arbitrary manner; by will only; despotically; absolutely.
Arbitrariness
(Ar"bi*tra*ri*ness), n. The quality of being arbitrary; despoticalness; tyranny. Bp. Hall.
Arbitrarious
(Ar`bi*tra"ri*ous) a. [L. arbitrarius. See Arbitrary.] Arbitrary; despotic. [Obs.] — Ar`bi*tra"ri*ous*ly,
adv. [Obs.]
Arbitrary
(Ar"bi*tra*ry) a. [L. arbitrarius, fr. arbiter: cf. F. arbitraire. See Arbiter.]
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.
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.
3. Despotic; absolute in power; bound by no law; harsh and unforbearing; tyrannical; as, an arbitrary prince
or government. Dryden.
Arbitrary constant, Arbitrary function (Math.), 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 (Math.), one to which any value can be assigned at
pleasure.
Arbitrate
(Ar"bi*trate) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Arbitrated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Arbitrating ] [L. arbitratus, p. p.
of arbitrari to be a hearer or beholder of something, to make a decision, to give judgment, fr. arbiter.
See Arbiter.]
1. To hear and decide, as arbitrators; as, to choose to arbitrate a disputed case.
2. To decide, or determine generally. South.
There shall your swords and lances arbitrate
The swelling difference of your settled hate.
Shak.
Arbitrate
(Ar"bi*trate) v. i.
1. To decide; to determine. Shak.
2. To act as arbitrator or judge; as, to arbitrate upon several reports; to arbitrate in disputes among
neighbors; to arbitrate between parties to a suit.
Arbitration
(Ar`bi*tra"tion) n. [F. arbitration, L. arbitratio, fr. arbitrari.] The hearing and determination
of a cause between parties in controversy, by a person or persons chosen by the parties.
This may be done by one person; but it is usual to choose two or three called arbitrators; or for each
party to choose one, and these to name a third, who is called the umpire. Their determination is called
the award. Bouvier
Arbitration bond, a bond which obliges one to abide by the award of an arbitration. — Arbitration of
Exchange, the operation of converting the currency of one country into that of another, or determining
