Adjective: arbitrary 'aar-bu,tre-ree [N. Amer], aa-bu-t(ru-)ree [Brit]
- Based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice
"an arbitrary penalty"; "of arbitrary size and shape"; "an arbitrary choice"; "arbitrary division of the group into halves"; "an arbitrary decision"; "the arbitrary rule of a dictator"
- [technical] Having any value or form, of any degree or extent
"an arbitrary function"
See also: absolute, capricious, discretional, discretionary, impulsive, vagarious, whimsical
Antonym: nonarbitrary
Encyclopedia: Arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable