Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - random

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English, succession, surge, from Anglo-French randun, from Old French randir to run, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German rinnan to run — more at run  Date: 1561 a haphazard course  II. adjective  Date: 1632  1.  a. lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern  b. made, done, or chosen at ~ read ~ passages from the book  2.  a. relating to, having, or being elements or events with definite probability of occurrence ~ processes  b. being or relating to a set or to an element of a set each of whose elements has equal probability of occurrence a ~ sample; also characterized by procedures designed to obtain such sets or elements ~ sampling  • ~ly adverb  • ~ness noun Synonyms:  ~, haphazard, casual mean determined by accident rather than design. ~ stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure a ~ selection of books. haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence a haphazard collection of rocks. casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose a casual collector.  III. adverb  Date: 1618 in a ~ manner