- 1
A large quantity or number; a great deal.
- win the whole lot (of money); i.e. jackpot
- lots of people think so
- 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
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
A number of people taken collectively.informal
- a sorry lot
- a bad lot
- 5
A distinct portion or plot of land, usually smaller than a field.
- a building lot in a city
- 6
That which happens without human design or forethought.
- But save my life, which lot before your foot doth lay.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
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.
syn. abundance · battalion · arseload · assload · bellyload · boatload · brimful · busload · bucketful · bucketload · butt-ton · bumload
ant. modicum