Arbitrary quantity
(gcide) | 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.
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It was wholly arbitrary in them to do so. --Jer.
Taylor.
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Rank pretends to fix the value of every one, and is
the most arbitrary of all things. --Landor.
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2. Exercised according to one's own will or caprice, and
therefore conveying a notion of a tendency to abuse the
possession of power.
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Arbitrary power is most easily established on the
ruins of liberty abused licentiousness.
--Washington.
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3. Despotic; absolute in power; bound by no law; harsh and
unforbearing; tyrannical; as, an arbitrary prince or
government. --Dryden.
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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.
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