lot

noun

1. 1

   A large quantity or number; a great deal.

   win the whole lot (of money); i.e. jackpot

   lots of people think so

   He wrote to her […] he might be detained in London by a lot of business.

   I filled my dreener in no time, and then it come to me that 'twouldn't be a bad idee to get a lot more, take 'em with me to Wellmouth, and peddle 'em out.

2. 2

   A separate, appropriated portion; a quantized, subdivided set consisting a whole.

   a lot of stationery

   The Lord divided the land to the tribes, each according to his lot.

3. 3

   One or more items auctioned or sold as a unit, separate from other items.

   This is an important lot. Very sorry, but we can't go on with the selling until we know more where we are.

4. 4

   informalA number of people taken collectively.

   a sorry lot

   a bad lot

   you lot

5. 5

   A distinct portion or plot of land, usually smaller than a field.

   a building lot in a city

   The defendants leased a house and lot, in the City of New-York

6. 6

   That which happens without human design or forethought.

   But save my life, which lot before your foot doth lay.

7. 7

   Anything (as a die, pebble, ball, or slip of paper) used in determining a question by chance, or without human choice or will.

   to cast lots

   to draw lots

   The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

   If we draw lots, he speeds.

8. 8

   The part, or fate, that falls to one, as it were, by chance, or without one's planning.

   O visions ill foreseen! Each day's lot's / Enough to bear.

   He was but born to try / The lot of man — to suffer and to die.

   […] as Jones alone was discovered, the poor lad bore not only the whole smart, but the whole blame; both which fell again to his lot on the following occasion.

   We seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life.

9. 9

   A prize in a lottery.

   In the lottery[…] Sir R. Haddock one of the Commissrs of the Navy had the greatest lot, £3000 ; my coachman £ 40

10. 10

    Allotment; lottery.

    Archons served only for one year and, since 487/6, they were chosen by lot. Generals, on the other hand, were chosen by direct election and could be reelected without limit.

11. 11

    All members of a set; everything.

    The table was loaded with food, but by evening there was nothing but crumbs; we had eaten the lot.

    If I were in charge, I'd fire the lot of them.

12. 12

    historicalAn old unit of weight used in many European countries from the Middle Ages, often defined as 1/30 or 1/32 of a (local) pound.

verb

1. 1

   datedTo allot; to sort; to apportion.

   Sometimes the contractor would lot the work out to some sub-contractor, and he, after the men had worked for a month, would run away, and we should never see the colour of his money.

2. 2

   datedTo count or reckon (on or upon).

Forms

plural

lots

past tense

lotted

past participle

lotted

present participle

lotting

third person singular

lots